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69th Annual
Eastern Colleges
Science Conference
1947-2015
April 18, 2015
Niagara University
History of the
Eastern Colleges Science Conference
The first Eastern Colleges Science Conference (ECSC) was organized in 1947 by
undergraduate Pauline Newman at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. The
aim then, as now, was to stimulate interest in undergraduate research in the sciences
and related fields and to provide a lively forum for the presentation of research papers.
Pauline Newman received her bachelor's degree in chemistry and went on to receive a
Ph.D. in chemistry from Yale. About 22 schools attended the first conference, and the
theme was "Science, Philosophy and Society."
The constitution of the ECSC was ratified on April 24, 1948 at Union College in
Schenectady NY, making the conference a self-sustaining body.
In 1972 the Pennsylvania State University was named the repository for all official
documents of the ECSC. Professor Stanley Shepherd was named the permanent
secretary of ECSC. In 1980 Professor Shepherd stepped down and Professor Gerard
O'Leary from Providence College was elected to the post. At the 35th annual
conference a steering committee was established to assist in directing the activities of
the ECSC.
In 1983 the ECSC was incorporated in Rhode Island and now operates with a Board of
Directors, elected from faculty of the participating colleges and universities. In 1986
Professor Gerard O'Leary stepped down, and Professor Edward Gabriel of Lycoming
College was elected Chair of ECSC. In 1995 Dr. Gabriel was succeeded by Professor
Lance Evans of Manhattan College. In 2008, Dr. Michael Kotarski of Niagara University
was elected to the Chairmanship, and in 2010 was succeeded by Dr. Donald Stearns of
Wagner University.
Over the years interest has increased in the conference and over 50 colleges and
universities have attended this annual event. Over time the range of subject matter has
also expanded and now covers computer science and behavioral and social sciences,
as well as the original areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics and
engineering.
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Previous Meetings
1947: Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
1948: Union College, Schenectady, NY
1949: Adelphi College, Garden City, NY
1950: Bernard College, New York, NY
1951: Yale University, New Haven, CT
1952: Pennsylvania College for Women, Pittsburgh, PA
1953: N.Y. State College for Teachers, Albany, NY
1954: Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY
1955: Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
1956: Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
1957: Georgetown University, Washington, DC
1958: Wilkes College,Wilkes-Barre, PA
1959: Suffolk University, Boston, MA
1960: Hunter College, New York, NY
1961: SUNY College of Forestry, Syracuse, NY
1962: North Carolina State College, Raleigh, NC
1963: Boston University, Chestnut Hill, MA
1964: Jersey City State College, Jersey City, NJ
1965: Danbury State College, Danbury, CT
1966: D.C. Teacher's College, Washington, DC
1967: Fordham University, New York, NY
1968: Yale University, New Haven, CT
1969: Yale University, New Haven, CT
1970: Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
1971: Rosary Hill College, Buffalo, NY
1972: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY
1973: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
1974: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
1975: Widener College, Chester, PA
1976: Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
1977: Fairleigh Dickenson University, Rutherford, NJ
1978: Union College, Schenectady, NY
1979: Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA
1980: SUNY at Cortland, Cortland, NY
1981: Jersey City State College, Jersey City, NJ
1982: Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
1983: Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
1984: Providence College, Providence, RI
1985: SUNY at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY
1986: Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
1987: Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
1988: Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
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1989: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY
1990: Manhattan College, New York, NY
1991: SUNY at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY
1992: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
1993: Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
1994: Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
1995: Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
1996: Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
1997: Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
1998: Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
1999: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT
2000: Wagner College, Staten Island, NY
2001: Wilkes-Barre College, Wilkes-Barre,PA
2002: Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
2003: Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
2004: Manhattan College, Bronx, NY
2005: Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, NY
2006: St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA
2007: College of Mount St. Vincent, Bronx, NY
2008: Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
2009: Wagner College, Staten Island, NY
2010: Pace University, Pleasantville, NY
2011: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT
2012: William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
2013: Providence College, Providence, RI
2014: Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
2015: Niagara University, Lewiston, NY
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69th Annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference
April 18th 2015
-SCHEDULE OF EVENTSFriday April 17th
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Early Registration
Sheraton at the Falls,
300 Third St. Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Saturday April 18th
8:00 – 9:00
Late Registration & Breakfast
Kiernan Center Niagara University Campus
9:00 - 9:15
Greeting: Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., President
Dr. Timothy M. Downs, Provost
Orientation: Dr. Michael Kotarski, Coordinator
Kiernan Center
9:30 – 10:50
Platform Session I
St. Vincent’s Hall Rooms 301, 305, 306, 309, 312, 407
10:50 – 11:20
Coffee Break
11:20 – 12:20
Platform Session II
St. Vincent’s Hall Rooms 301, 305, 306, 309, 312, 407
12:30 – 2:00
LUNCH
Faculty: Statler Dining Room, 4th floor St. Vincent’s Hall
Students: Kiernan Center
1:15 – 2:00
Board Meeting
St. Vincent’s Hall 407
2:00 – 3:00
Speaker: AnneMarie Block, Ph.D., FACMG
Chief of Cytogenetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
3:15 – 4:35
Poster Session I (even numbered posters)
Castellani Art Museum
4:35 – 5:55
Poster Session II (odd numbered posters)
6:15 – 7:15
Cocktail Hour for faculty and staff
Cataract Room, Niagara Falls Convention & Event Center
101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
7:00 -
Dinner & Awards
Ball Room, Niagara Falls Convention & Event Center
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MANUSCRIPTS SUBMITTED FOR EVALUATION/CONSIDERATION FOR AN EXCELLENCE AWARD Title: Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Amide Tethered Polymers First Author: Ayeisca E. Mateo School: Western New England University Category: Organic Chemistry Title: Xylem Conductivity of Petioles and Primary Stem Tissues at Stem Terminals of Herbaceous Plant Species First Author: Christopher Auricchio School: Manhattan College Category: Botany Title: The Chemistry and Biology of Nanomaterial Transport using Sphagnum magellanicum as an Indicator First Author: Richard Brase School: Marist College Category: Botany Title: Isolation of Bacteriophages from Sewage that Infect Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa First Author: Jacob Cohen School: Wagner College Category: Microbiology Title: Dynamics of Xylem Cell and Vascular Bundle Development in a Stem Node of Agrostis stolonifera First Author: Diana Luzuriaga School: Manhattan College Category: Botany Title: Development of Epidermal and Hypodermal Cells in Shoot Apical Meristems of Cactus Species from South America First Author: Erisa Behrami School: Manhattan College Category: Botany Title: Evaluation of outcomes with chronic abdominal pain patients in an outpatient multidisciplinary care and treatment context First Author: Laimis Belzinskas School: John Carroll University Category: Neuropsychology 5
Title: Dynamics of Eccentric Stem Development of Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis First Author: Hayley Graney School: Manhattan College Category: Botany Title: Synergistic Activation of the Ampa and Kainate Receptors Increases Vulnerability of Aging White Matter to Ischemia First Author: Shelby Griffith School: John Carroll University Category: Physiology Title: Development of a Non-­‐Toxic and Inexpensive Gel Electrophoresis Methodology Utilizing Flour Samples First Author: Dina Hanna School: John Carroll University Category: Organic Chemistry Title: Examination of the Effects of MiR-­‐129 on Ciliation in the Retina Using Sponge Constructs First Author: Andrew Kostiuk School: John Carroll University Category: Molecular Biology Title: The Effect of Five Plant Extracts on Serratia marcescens for Medicinal Significance First Author: Meghan Marie Morrissey School: Wagner College Category: Microbiology Title: Xylem Conductivity in Stems of 22 Species of Columnar Cacti of South America First Author: Kristen Skonieczny School: Manhattan College Category: Botany Title: Detection of Circulating Microparticles by Apogee Micro Flow Cytometry First Author: Nicholas Wanner School: John Carroll University Category: Biochemistry Title: Mechanical Stresses of Primary Branches and Tree Branch Morphology First Author: Lydia Wehrli School: Manhattan College Category: Botany Title: Glaucoma Research: Determining the Best Virus for Infecting Retinal Ganglion Cells, AAV2 or AAV5 First Author: Rachel Welch 6
School: John Carroll University Category: Health Sciences Title: Effects of Positive and Negative Pictures on Health and Behavior in Male Long-­‐Evans Rats First Author: Stoehlea Whitman School: John Carroll University Category: Experimental Psychology Title: Modeling, Simulation and Experimental Validation of a Servo Pneumatic Control System First Author: Chad P. Woodrow School: Western New England University Category: Engineering/Mathematical Modeling 7
Schedule of Platform Paper Sessions
69th Annual ECSC
Psychology: St. Vincent’s Hall Room 305
Time
9:30
1- CRAZY SHOWS: TELEVISION’S PORTRAYALS AND
STEREOTYPES OF MENTAL ILLNESS
H. Fleckenstein. Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
9:50
2- EMOTION REGULATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
C. L. Gessner. Marist College, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
10:10 3- STICKS AND STONES: THE NATURE OF PUTDOWNS, NAMECALLING, AND RELATIONAL AGGRESSION ON TELEVISION
J. Klem, H. Moger. Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
10:30 4- CONSTRUAL LEVEL AND SELF-CONTROL: AN ANALYSIS OF
IAT PERFORMANCE
R. M. Bridges, K. L. Jay. Marist College Department of Psychology
10:50
Coffee break
11:20 5- USING MEDIA LITERACY TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT
GENDER STEREOTYPING
E. Brown, M. Dickson. Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
11:40 6- MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTION IN A SPECIAL EDUCATION
SETTING
D. DiMeglio. Wagner College Department of Mathematics
Cell Biology & Development: St. Vincent’s Hall Room 301
Time
9:30
7- THE ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE AND APOPTOTIC EFFECT OF A
CINNAMON-DERIVED COMPOUND UPON CANCEROUS CELL
LINES
M. R. Hofbauer, Dr. S. Bhalla. Mount Saint Mary College Division of
Natural Sciences
8
9:50
8- COMPARISION OF MICROPARTICLE DETECTION BETWEEN
FLOW CYTOMETRY AND IMAGING FLOW CYTOMETRY
P. M. Galbo, O. Maguire, J. D. Tario Jr, H. Minderman. Roswell Park
Cancer Institute. Cancer Department of Flow and Image Cytometry
Niagara University Department of Biology
10:10 9- ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE AND APOPTOTIC EFFECTS OF
ISOLIQUIRITIGENIN ON HELA CERVICAL CANCER CELLS
L. Guindi, S. Bhalla Ph.D. Mount Saint Mary College
10:30 10- CHARACTERIZATION OF YEAST BAX INHIBITOR, BXI1,
FUNCTION IN CELL DEATH, THE UNFOLDED PROTEIN
RESPONSE, AND CALCIUM SIGNALING IN SACCHAROMYCES
CEREVISIAE
S.R. Rogers, W. Cavedon, J. O’Brien, A. Gonzalez, M. Brown, L. Ritzer,
M. McCarthy, and N. Austriaco. Providence College Dept. of Biology
10:50
Coffee break
11:20 11- SERUM ANTIBODY RESPONSES IN BALB-C MICE
FOLLOWING MULTIPLE EXPOSURES OF OXYVITA BLOOD
SUBSTITUTE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A LACK OF SYSTEMIC
INFLAMMATION.
H. M. Mulhall, D. M. Rodriguez. Mount Saint Mary College. Department
of Natural Sciences
11:40 12- THE EFFECTS OF DIETHYL PHTHALATE ON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
J. Hinrichs, H. Cook. Wagner College Department of Biology
Environmental Sciences: St. Vincent’s Hall Room 407
Time
9:30
13- SEARCH FOR SAFE UNDERGROUND WATER THROUGH
OBSERVATION OF TUBEWELL CONCRETE PLATFORM COLOR
IN SOUTHERN BANGLADESH
S. Dham, S. Minchala, M. Alauddin. Wagner College Dept. of Chemistry
9:50
14- EFFECT OF INVASIVE ZEBRA MUSSELS (DREISSENA SPP.) ON
VERTICAL MIXING OF NUTRIENTS AND PHYTOPLANKTON IN
LAKE ERIE
K. N. Alexander, W. J. Edwards. Niagara University Dept. of Biology
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10:10 15- BURNING WOOD CLEANLY: INVESTIGATING SECONDARY
COMBUSTION IN ROCKET STOVES
A. S. Collins, L. E. Maelia. Mount Saint Mary College
10:30 16- MICROSATELLITE ANALYSIS OF GENETIC VARIATION IN
LODGEPOLE PINES
A. Blake and M. A. Kotarski. Department of Biology, Niagara University
10:50
Coffee break
11:20 17- EFFECTS OF (R+) LIMONENE ON FATHEAD MINNOW
SWIMMING BEHAVIOR
M.P. Finegan, C.E. Patullo. Ithaca College Department of Environmental
Science and Studies
11:40 18- EXPOSURE TO HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM FROM TANNERY
WASTES AND HEALTH RISKS FOR URBAN POPULATION IN
BANGLADESH
A. Alauddin, S. Dham, S. Minchala, S. Alauddin, N. Asfar, S. Shaha, W.
Hoque, R. Gerads . Department of Chemistry, Department of Biology and
Life Sciences Wagner College, Exonics Technology Center, Dhaka, 1212,
Bangladesh, Applied Speciation LLC, Bothell, WA 98011
Microbiology: St. Vincent’s Hall Room 312
Time
9:30
19- SURVEY OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM IN CRASSOSTREA
VIRGINICA
M. A. Presta, J. A. Reid, S. Kowalyk, F. Tei, and G. Mayer.
Manhattan College Department of Biology
9:50
20- THE EFFECT OF FIVE PLANT EXTRACTS ON SERRATIA
MARCESCENS FOR MEDICINAL SIGNIFICANCE
M. Morrissey. Wagner College Department of Biology
10:10 21- GENOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN
STAPHYLOCOCCUS SPP.
S. T. Opper, M. Byrd , E. Ebert, C. Kelly, A. Salter, S. Warner, M.
Wright, M. A. Gallo. Niagara University Department of Biology
10:30 22- SURVEY OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM IN BIVALVES (MYA
ARENARIA) FROM ORCHARD BEACH, NY
F. F. A. Tei, J.A. Reid, M.A. Presta, S. Kowalyk, and G. Mayer.
Department of Biology, Manhattan College
10
10:50 Coffee break
Biochemistry, Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmacology:
St. Vincent’s Hall Room 306
Time
9:30
23- INVESTIGATION OF SYNERGISTIC ENZYME DEGRADATION
OF LIGNOCELLULOCE WITH TGA AND TOF-SIMS
E. J. Braham and R. E. Goacher. Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry,
and Physics, Niagara University
9:50
24- IN VITRO SELECTION OF A HYPOXANTHINE PROBE
R. J. Bravo and D. P. Morse. United States Naval Academy Chemistry
Department
10:10 25- SOLUBILITY ENHANCEMENT OF POORLY WATER SOLUBLE
DRUG USING SOLID DISPERSION
I. Ewelina Szydlik, Sanjaykumar Gayakwad. University of Saint Joseph,
School of Pharmacy
10:30 26- DEVELOPMENT AND USAGE NOTES FOR TRAILKAM,
A GIS SYSTEM AGGREGATING DATA FOR FIELD RESEARCH
M. McIntyre, Dr. A. Kapolka. Wilkes University Department of
Mathematics and Computer Science
10:50
Coffee break
11:20 27- DETERMINING ORDER OF BLACK BALLPOINT PEN INK
DEPOSITION ON PAPER TO IDENTIFY FORGERIES IN
QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS USING TIME-OF-FLIGHT
SECONDARY ION MASS SPECTROMETRY
S. Livingston and R. E. Goacher. Niagara University Department of
Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics
Botany: St. Vincent’s Hall Room 309
Time
9:30
28- XYLEM CONDUCTIVITY OF PETIOLES AND PRIMARY STEM
TISSUES AT STEM TERMINALS OF HERBACEOUS PLANT
SPECIES
C. Auricchio. Manhattan College Department of Biology Department
11
9:50
29- DYNAMICS OF XYLEM CELL AND VASCULAR BUNDLE
DEVELOPMENT IN A STEM NODE OF AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA
D. Luzuriaga. Manhattan College Department of Biology
10:10 30- XYLEM CONDUCTIVITY IN STEMS OF 22 SPECIES OF
COLUMNAR CACTI OF SOUTH AMERICA
K. Skonieczny . Manhattan College Department of Biology
10:30 31- DEVELOPMENT OF EPIDERMAL AND HYPODERMAL CELLS
IN SHOOT APICAL MERISTEMS OF CACTUS SPECIES FROM
SOUTH AMERICA
E. Behrami. Manhattan College Department of Biology
10:50
Coffee break
11:20 32- - MECHANICAL STRESSES OF PRIMARY BRANCHES AND
TREE BRANCH MORPHOLOGY
L. Wehrli. Manhattan College Department of Biology
11:40 33- DYNAMICS OF ECCENTRIC STEM DEVELOPMENT OF
ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA VAR. WYOMINGENSIS
H. Graney . Manhattan College Biology Department
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PLATFORM PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
PSYCHOLOGY
1- CRAZY SHOWS: TELEVISION’S PORTRAYALS AND STEREOTYPES OF MENTAL
ILLNESS
H. Fleckenstein
Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
Ithaca, NY 14850
Television often uses mental illness as a plot device to move a story along with no regard for the
reality of mental disorders and the challenges that people suffering from mental illness face.
This study uses content analysis methodology to describe the negative portrayals, stereotypes,
and inaccuracies of mental health and mental illness diagnoses shown on fictional television
shows. It examines both the incidence and nature of these portrayals of mental health and mental
illness shown on fictional dramatic television shows, taking note of the demographics of
characters shown to be or implied to be living with a diagnosed mental illness, the accuracy of
the portrayal, and the attitudes towards that character. The sample of programs was selected from
the large archive of representative samples of television collected by the Center for Research on
the Effects of Television (CRETV) at Ithaca College from 2009-2014. All fictional programs
(excluding those aimed specifically at children or teens) that were initially coded as having
content or characters reflecting mental illness were included in the sample. Portrayals of specific
mental illnesses were compared to DSM criteria for that disorder, and the inaccuracies and
exaggerations were identified. Demographics for the individuals portrayed with a mental illness
are also reported (gender, age, and race/ethnicity), compared with current demographic data on
mental illness in the U.S. Other findings include the types of treatment or therapies shown and
variations in portrayals across different program types and stations.
2- EMOTION REGULATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
C. L. Gessner
Marist College, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Emotion regulation and executive functioning were examined in a sample of 50 men and women.
Participants completed two 36 item Likert-type questionnaires assessing emotion regulation
deficits and the ability to use positive emotion regulation strategies. Executive functioning was
measured by an executive functioning battery, during which participants completed working
memory, inhibition, and set-shifting tasks. Contrary to the working hypothesis, there was no
association between emotion regulation capabilities and measures of executive functioning. This
is explained by the complex interplay between emotions and cognitive control, suggesting
integration among their mental subprocesses. Emotional states can enhance high-level cognition,
and can modulate the neural mechanisms that support cognitive control.
3- STICKS AND STONES: THE NATURE OF PUTDOWNS, NAME-CALLING, AND
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RELATIONAL AGGRESSION ON TELEVISION
J. Klem, H. Moger
Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
Ithaca, NY 14850
This study examines the potential role of television as a contributing factor to bullying
(especially cyberbullying) through programs that contain frequent portrayals of putdowns, namecalling, and relational aggression. A descriptive content analysis was conducted of 527 half-hour
television shows videotaped between 1983-2014 for the Center for Research on the Effects of
Television (CRETV) archive. Six types of programs were analyzed: situation comedies, teen
shows, and four types of children’s shows (humorous cartoons, action, pro-social, or
educational). Researchers worked in groups of two or three during the coding sessions, noting
specific instances of putdowns and relational aggression. When an instance was observed, the
researchers described the incident, noted by whom, about whom, and to whom the message was
directed, and the consequences following the incident. The results showed a high incidence of
putdowns and name-calling, with more than 3,000 putdowns occurring in the 527 programs.
Nearly all of the sitcoms, teen shows and humorous cartoons contained putdowns, and more than
1/3 of the pro-social and educational children’s shows contained putdowns. Relational
aggression was much less common, and occurred most often in teen shows. The most common
type of putdown observed was name-calling (e.g., “loser,” “jerk,” “idiot”), and putdowns
occurred most often among friends and family members. The most common consequence of a
putdown or relational aggression incident was laughter (typically via a laugh track) or no
response at all. The results reflect a television world where there is a culture of disrespect that is
portrayed as normalized, trivialized and sanitized.
4- CONSTRUAL LEVEL AND SELF-CONTROL: AN ANALYSIS OF IAT PERFORMANCE
R. M. Bridges, K. L. Jay
Marist College Department of Psychology
Poughkeepsie NY, 12601
The purpose of the current study was to test the interaction between a person’s general level of
self-control and the construal level utilized as they affect a specific instance of self-control. An
implicit association task (IAT) was presented to participants after they completed a scale of selfcontrol and received either a “high level” or “low level” prime. The effects of general level of
self-control (as measured by scale) and prime type on participant’s IAT performance were
measured using two 2x2 analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Analysis yielded a significant main
effect for level of self-control, a significant main effect of prime type, and a significant level of
self-control and prime type interaction with number of errors on IAT used as the dependent
variable. When mean response time was used as dependent variable, no significant results were
found. Such findings suggest that those with low self-control can improve their success by
manipulating construal level.
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5- USING MEDIA LITERACY TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT GENDER
STEREOTYPING
E. Brown, M. Dickson
Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
Ithaca, NY 14850
The acquisition of gender stereotypes starts at a young age, including messages absorbed at
home, in school, and through the media. Media literacy involves teaching children to critically
analyze and evaluate media content (e.g., TV commercials, magazine covers, books), and can be
a very effective tool to use when teaching children about gender stereotypes portrayed in the
media which are narrow and limiting. This study looks at the effectiveness of teaching children
about gender messages and gender stereotyping using constructivist media decoding of TV
commercials for children’s toys. Using lessons created by Project Look Sharp, students from the
Center for Research on the Effects of Television conducted participant observation studies of 3rd
grade classes from elementary schools in Ithaca, NY. The lessons focused on class analysis and
discussion of TV commercials that used gender techniques (actors, lighting, voiceovers, music,
special effects, etc.) to convey the message that the toy was made just for girls or just for boys,
identifying gender stereotypes shown. The researchers observed the children’s participation,
reactions, comments, and level of engagement in the lessons. After the lessons, teachers
completed an online survey and interview about the effectiveness of the lessons, and gave their
students a short follow-up questionnaire to assess their understanding of the lessons. The
evaluation showed high levels of engagement and understanding by the children, who were able
to identify many gender techniques and stereotypes, understanding of the advertiser’s purpose
and the role of the actors playing the parts of children in the ads.
6- MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTION IN A SPECIAL EDUCATION SETTING
D. DiMeglio, Student Teacher
Wagner College Department of Mathematics
Wagner College, NY 10301
Description of how mathematics is taught in a self- contained setting. This self contained setting
includes one teacher, one student teaching four paraprofessionals and ten students. Students
were grouped by ability, and through the use of differentiated math stations students received
various tasks.
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CELL BIOLOGY
7- THE ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE AND APOPTOTIC EFFECT OF A CINNAMON-DERIVED
COMPOUND UPON CANCEROUS CELL LINES
M. R. Hofbauer, Dr. S. Bhalla
Mount Saint Mary College Division of Natural Sciences
Newburgh, NY 12550
Phytochemicals, plant-derived compounds historically used in Asian cultures for medicinal
purposes, are now gaining popularity in the U.S. Such natural products are usually widely
available, and less toxic than synthetic drugs. Despite their increase in popularity, only a few
have been evaluated in rigorous controlled studies; rather, support of their benefits remains
largely anecdotal. The effectiveness of a compound found in the essential oil of cinnamon,
trans-cinnamaldehyde, against cancerous cell lines is the focus of this study. Transcinnamaldehyde is potent as an inhibitor of proliferation of HeLa cells (a human cervical cancer
cell line). This effect is both dose-dependent and specific, as the proliferation of non-cancerous
L6 cells (rat myoblasts) was not affected by trans-cinnamaldehyde. Trans-cinnamaldehyde was
also tested on an additional cancerous cell line, MCF-7 (human breast cancer cells). A TUNEL
assay was used to measure both apoptosis and molecular mechanisms involved in the antiproliferative activity of trans-cinnamaldehyde. Trans-cinnamaldehyde continued to exhibit a
very specific, anti-proliferative effect against HeLa cells, but it was not as effective upon MCF-7
cells. Evidence from the TUNEL assay indicated that it was acting against cancer cells by
causing apoptosis. These results provide insight into the mechanism of action and the
effectiveness of trans-cinnamaldehyde.
8- COMPARISION OF MICROPARTICLE DETECTION BETWEEN FLOW CYTOMETRY
AND IMAGING FLOW CYTOMETRY
P. M. Galbo, O. Maguire, J. D. Tario Jr, H. Minderman
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Cancer Cell Center Department of Flow and Image Cytometry
Buffalo, NY 14263
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Micropartilces (MPs) are cell derived vesicles released from cell membranes in response to an
array of stimulants. The clinical importance of MPs are becoming recognized as a potential
biomarker for several diseases; therefore, accurate identification of MPs have been of increased
interest. Conventionally, MPs are identified via flow cytometry (FCM), however, accurate
identification of MPs remains elusive due to their relatively small size. With the recent
development of imaging flow cytometry (IFC), the objective of this study was to compare the
ability of both cytometry units in their capabilities of analyzing MPs. This was accomplished
based on scatter (SSC) or fluorescence properties of polystyrene beads, liposomes, and plasma
derived exosomes. Ultimately, it was determined that FCM and IFC can distinguish between
1.34, 0.88, 0.45, and 0.22 µ sized polystyrene beads. However, FCM could only identify 0.2 µ
liposomes by SSC; but IFC could detect liposomes by SSC and fluorescence. Lastly, IFC was
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more efficient at detecting phenotype exosomes compared to FCM. These results suggest that
IFC is more efficient at detecting MPs than FCM.
9- ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE AND APOPTOTIC EFFECTS OF ISOLIQUIRITIGENIN ON
HELA CERVICAL CANCER CELLS
L. Guindi, S. Bhalla Ph.D
Mount Saint Mary College
Newburgh, NY 12550
For many years plants and herbs have been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.
Licorice root in particular has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its antiinflammatory and detoxification characteristics. It has also been used as a general life
lengthening medication. Recently licorice has been shown to have a variety of health promoting
effects including anti-oxidative, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and estrogeniclike activities. However, the mechanisms by which these effects occur remain poorly understood.
ISL (4, 2', 4'-trihydroxychalcone) found in licorice and shallot was recently demonstrated to have
potent anti-proliferative activity on cancer cells. It has been speculated with strong evidence that
ISL arrests the cell cycle prior to mitosis. We had previously demonstrated that both purified ISL
and a commercially available licorice extract containing ISL had an anti-proliferative effect on
HeLa cells, a cervical carcinoma derived cell line. A Tunnel Assay, which allows for the
monitoring of apoptosis within the cells, was performed on ISL treated cells with successful
results. This along with MTT assay results suggest that the cells are undergoing programmed cell
death upon treatment with Isoliquiritigenin.
10- CHARACTERIZATION OF YEAST BAX INHIBITOR, BXI1, FUNCTION IN CELL
DEATH, THE UNFOLDED PROTEIN RESPONSE, AND CALCIUM SIGNALING IN
SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
S.R. Rogers, W. Cavedon, J. O’Brien, A. Gonzalez, M. Brown, L. Ritzer, M. McCarthy, and N.
Austriaco
Providence College Department of Biology
Providence, RI 02908
Yeast Bax inhibitor-1 (BXI1) is an anti-apoptotic gene whose human homolog’s expression is
upregulated in a wide range of human cancers. Our studies have shown that Bxi1p is localized in
the endoplasmic reticulum and is involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR) that is
triggered by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. BXI1 is thought to act via a mechanism
involving altered calcium dynamics. With DTT induction experiments using Δbxi1 mutants and
different UPR GFP reporters, we have confirmed our published data that suggests that BXI1 is
involved in the UPR, Intriguingly, our preliminary data suggests that Bxi1p facilitates clustering
of Ire1p during ER stress. [Our laboratory is supported by grant NIGMS R15 GM110578,
awarded to N. Austriaco.]
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11- SERUM ANTIBODY RESPONSES IN BALB-C MICE FOLLOWING MULTIPLE
EXPOSURES OF OXYVITA BLOOD SUBSTITUTE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A LACK
OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION.
H. M. Mulhall, D. M. Rodriguez
Mount Saint Mary College Department of Natural Sciences
Mount Saint Mary College, NY 12550
OxyVita is a polymerized stroma-free bovine hemoglobin blood substitute developed by
OXYVITA Inc. Blood substitutes have the potential to revolutionize the way blood transfusions
are conducted, however, safety concerns exist due to the unknown immunogenicity of these
foreign molecules. Our study examines the serum immune response and body weight
maintenance of BALB/c mice during multiple exposures of OxyVita. Mice were injected
intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.5mL of OxyVita in saline (60µg/mL) or saline alone, every three
weeks for 9 weeks. After each injection a blood sample was collected from each of the mice.
Serum antibodies recognizing plate-bound OxyVita were measured via indirect ELISA. Three of
four mice produced a robust antibody response following initial exposure. Each subsequent
exposure resulted in incrementally higher antibody titers suggesting a memory recall response to
the OxyVita molecule with all four mice responding following the second exposure. Preliminary
observations suggest a lack of systemic inflammation in exposed animals with undetectable
levels of circulating TNFα in blood serum. None of the mice displayed physical evidence of
distress during the course of the experiment indicating a lack of pathology associated with i.p.
exposure.
12- THE EFFECTS OF DIETHYL PHTHALATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF
DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
J. Hinrichs, H. Cook
Wagner College Department of Biology
Staten Island New York
Endocrine disrupters are ever prevalent in the world and have been shown to have a great
effect on the growth, development, and sexual success of both wildlife and humans. Endocrine
disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) have been a hot topic of debate for research due to the wide
variety of impacts that they can have on insects, the environment, and humans. This paper
explores the impact of the endocrine disrupting chemical diethyl phthalate on the development of
Drosophila melanogaster. The goal of this research is to make a definitive conclusion about the
developmental effects of diethyl Phthalate on D. Melanogaster. Fruit flies are a great organism to
use for this kind of research due to their small size, quick turnover rate, and their small
sequenced genome. To assess the impacts 6 groups were used at the following concentrations
100 ppm, 1,000 ppm, 5,000 ppm, and 10,000 ppm as well as 2 control groups grown in water and
in 0.3% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The flies were incubated in 60% humidity at 25ºC for 11
days when pupal casings and pupa were counted. Over the next 4 days the flies were
anesthetized sexed and counted to determine if there was a developmental effect. The initial
statistical data shows that there is a significant difference among the groups though further
analysis is needed to see where the differences lie.
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19
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
13- SEARCH FOR SAFE UNDERGROUND WATER THROUGH OBSERVATION OF
TUBEWELL CONCRETE PLATFORM COLOR IN SOUTHERN BANGLADESH
S. Dham, S. Minchala, M. Alauddin
Wagner College Department of Chemistry
One Campus Road, Staten Island, NY 10301
The search for arsenic (As) safe drinking water for people in this densely populated South Asian
country remains a challenge for policymakers and non-government organizations. Even though
the permissible level of As in groundwater in Bangladesh is 50µg/L, the vast population in the
southern part of Bangladesh is exposed to As at levels close to 200-300µg/L. Various safe water
options have been introduced in arsenic affected areas. The pace of installation of such options is
not able to cope with the demand of safe water. The As and Fe rich groundwater develops a
reddish-orange color with the silica of concrete while groundwater with low levels of As and Fe
develops a diffuse ash color. We have investigated 200 tubewells with different degrees of
platform color in Sharasti Upazila in the Chandpur district of Bangladesh. Using inductively
coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), we have determined 28 trace elements
in tubewells in two unions and six villages. In tubewells with reddish color platform, the
correlation coefficients for As versus Fe were much higher than the corresponding coefficients
for As versus Fe in tubewells with blackish to ash color platform. As and Sr correlated highly for
both groups of platform colors. Screening of platform color for tubewells does indicate that the
tubewells with blackish to ash color platform provide groundwater at a much lower level of
arsenic. In absence of other safe water options, the screening of tubewells through platform color
does offer a viable tool for searching for arsenic safe water.
14- EFFECT OF INVASIVE ZEBRA MUSSELS (DREISSENA SPP.) ON VERTICAL
MIXING OF NUTRIENTS AND PHYTOPLANKTON IN LAKE ERIE
K. N. Alexander, W. J. Edwards
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Recent studies have attempted to link the resurgence of harmful algal blooms (HAB’s) of
increased frequency and magnitude in Lake Erie to the presence of invasive dreissenid mussels.
It has been shown that dreissenids affect the nearshore region by shunting carbon and nutrients
into it, releasing nitrogen and phosphorus, and altering the region’s transparency. Additional
threats facing the Lake Erie include climate change and landscape use change, but the interactive
effects of these threats are not understood. The present study hypothesized that the increased
roughness of the mussel beds would alter the near bed water dynamics in such a way as to
promote longer retention of phosphorus in the water column, thus providing an increased nutrient
supply to the algae. Phosphorus concentrations were measured above mussel and non-mussel
sites in the eastern and western basins of Lake Erie. It was determined that while the mussels do
impact phosphorus concentrations in the eastern basin, these effects are masked by greater
mixing of water in the western basin. The ability of dreissenids to alter the fate of phosphorus
20
may augment the problem of agricultural runoff resulting from land use changes in the
surrounding areas, which is why it is hoped that this study will spark further research into these
mechanisms.
15- BURNING WOOD CLEANLY: INVESTIGATING SECONDARY COMBUSTION IN
ROCKET STOVES
A. S. Collins, L. E. Maelia
Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY 12520
Wood burning stoves are notoriously inefficient and emit particulate matter (smoke) into the air,
causing respiratory problems for those living and working in the immediate vicinity of the
stove. For those people living in third world countries, burning wood is often the only option for
cooking. Wood stoves can be constructed from metal cans by a variety of designs, some more
efficient than others. An inverted downdraft gasifier stove is designed to burn the wood smoke in
a secondary burn, increasing efficiency and decreasing particulate emissions. In this experiment,
inverted-downdraft gasifier stoves were compared to a rocket stove/inverted downdraft gasifier
hybrid that included smoke-burning features to promote continuous loading, a feature
conspicuously absent in standard inverted downdraft gasifiers. Emissions were tested through
use of a funnel connected through vacuum tubes to a glass microfiber filter. Water was boiled in
order to test the amount of heat produced by the stove.
16- MICROSATELLITE ANALYSIS OF GENETIC VARIATION IN LODGEPOLE PINES
A. Blake and M. A. Kotarski
Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Lodgepole pines (Pinus conorta) in the eastern Rocky Mountains are threatened by pine beetles
and rust fungus. A wildfire near Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado in 1978
burned an area approximately five miles long and one-quarter mile wide. To assess the genetic
diversity of regrowth of lodgepole pines in the area, microsatellite DNAs have been identified
and amplified. Microsatellites can vary from parent to offspring populations and a high genetic
diversity will correlate with the ability to withstanding pestilence. Three primer pairs derived
from loblolly pine (LOP 5, LOP 11, LOP 12) were tested for their usefulness in assessing genetic
diversity of these pine populations.
17- EFFECTS OF (R+) LIMONENE ON FATHEAD MINNOW SWIMMING BEHAVIOR
M.P. Finegan, C.E. Patullo
College Department of Environmental Science and Studies
College, NY 14850
Ithaca
Ithaca
As pharmaceutical products are becoming increasingly important in everyday life, they are also
becoming more prevalent in the environment. Wastewater treatment methods have been proven
ineffective in the removal of these chemicals resulting in accumulation in aquatic environments,
21
which could pose a threat to aquatic life. Studies have shown that certain pharmaceuticals can
impact behaviors such as reproduction, predator avoidance, and food acquisition. Similar
behavioral changes in fish could negatively impact predator-prey relationships and lead to an
unbalanced ecosystem. This research investigates the effects of the compound (R+) Limonene on
fathead minnow swimming behavior. (R+) Limonene is a neuroactive compound used in
pharmaceutical products, solvents, and fragrances and has been shown to cause effects similar to
those found in antidepressants and anticonvulsants. By testing fathead minnows in four
concentrations of (R+) Limonene: 0.83 µg/L, which is the concentration measured in the effluent
of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility, 21.05 mg/L, 42.1 mg/L, and 84.2 mg/L the
degree of impact (R+) Limonene has at the current effluent concentration as well as at higher
concentrations can be studied. Using the video tracking software Swistrack, the path of the fish
as well as the total distance travelled and average velocity were determined to show changes in
fish swimming behavior due to exposure to (R+) Limonene. Through this process we are able to
determine whether (R+) Limonene significantly alters behavior in fish and how much is needed
to result in such change.
18- EXPOSURE TO HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM FROM TANNERY WASTES AND
HEALTH RISKS FOR URBAN POPULATION IN BANGLADESH
A. Alauddin, S. Dham, S. Minchala, S. Alauddin, N. Asfar, S. Shaha, W. Hoque, R. Gerads
Department of Chemistry, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY 10301, Department of Biology
and Life Sciences, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY 10301, Exonics Technology Center,
Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh, Applied Speciation LLC, Bothell, WA 98011
About 277 small, medium and large size tanneries in the outskirts of Dhaka city in Bangladesh
produce 2-3% of world’s leather. These tanning industries process approximately 180 million
square feet or 74,000 tons of raw hide annually and export about $400 million worth of leather
and footwear. In the tanning process of raw hides these industries use a variety of chemicals,
especially chromium salts. On a daily basis approximately 22,000 cubic meters of untreated
liquid waste and 170 tons of solid waste are dumped in nearby canals and rivers. In addition to
the population at the work place in these industries, the general population is exposed to
chromium species through river water. Although Cr (III) is essential trace element, hexavalent
chromium Cr (VI) is a known carcinogen. In addition to the exposure in river water, and polluted
ambient air, residents in nearby slums often use discarded hides and shaving of hides as cooking
fuel causing indoor air pollution. In the current investigation, water and air samples near the
industrial discharge areas and in the downstream areas were analyzed for total chromium (Cr)
and total Cr (VI). All the data for total Cr and Cr (VI) in water and air samples in these urban
areas, along with their potential health risks, are discussed.
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MICROBIOLOGY
19- SURVEY OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM IN CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA
M. A. Presta, J. A. Reid, S. Kowalyk, F. Tei, and G. Mayer*
Manhattan College Department of Biology
4513 Manhattan College Parkway
Riverdale, NY 10471
Aquatic environments are important for the overall maintenance of ecological habitats and
human health. Bivalves collect many particles, including parasites through filter feeding. Recent
studies have shown their potential as bio-sentinels. The purpose of this study is to determine
whether Crassostrea virginica, the Atlantic Oyster, is infected with Cryptosporidium parvum
oocysts by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ten C. virginica specimens were
collected at Orchard beach, NY, in the fall of 2014 as part of a large study. The gills, digestive
glands, mantle, siphon muscle, and the abductor muscle were dissected and frozen before DNA
isolation. In total, 41 tissues from 10 C. virginica individuals were tested. C. parvum was
detected by PCR using primers that target the 18S of the ribosomal RNA. None of the tested
tissues from the 10 specimens were found to be positive for C. parvum oocysts. Given that a
comparable sample size of tested Mya arenaria collected at Orchard beach were found to have
some individual positive for C. parvum, our data strongly suggest that C. virginica may not be a
good host for C. parvum.
20- THE EFFECT OF FIVE PLANT EXTRACTS ON SERRATIA MARCESCENS FOR
MEDICINAL SIGNIFICANCE
M. Morrissey
Wagner College Department of Biology
Staten Island, NY 10301
Antibiotic resistant bacteria have become a significant problem over the past few decades. These
once antibiotic susceptible bacteria have become resistant through overuse of antibiotics. This is
a problem because if a bacteria’s susceptibility to antibiotics is severely decreased it is hard for
doctors to treat bacterial infections in their patient. Recently, infections due to antibiotic resistant
Serratia marcescens have increased and become a problem in hospital settings and
immunocompromised individuals. Antibiotic resistant bacteria also have a negative effect on
biological systems in our environment. It is important to find alternative methods to treat
bacterial infections in order to treat already antibiotic resistant bacteria and prevent antibiotic
resistance. In this study, five plant extracts (tannic acid, cinnamic acid, clove oil, eugenol, and
tea tree oil) were tested to determine their antimicrobial activity against the gram-negative,
Serratia marcescens. It was determined that clove oil (6.3 x 10–1 M) and eugenol (6.8 x 10–1 M,
6.8 x 10–2 M, 6.8 x 10–3 M) were able to inhibit the growth of S. marcescens. The cinnamic acid
(7.5 x 10–2 M, 7.5 x 10–3 M, 7.5 x 10–4 M, 7.5 x 10–5 M), tannic acid (6.5 x 10–3 M, 6.5 x 10–4 M,
6.5 x 10–5 M, 6.5 x 10–6 M), and tea tree oil (7.2 x 10–1 M, 7.2 x 10–2 M, 7.2 x 10–3 M, 7.2 x 10–4
M) showed no antimicrobial activity against S. marcescens.
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21- GENOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN
STAPHYLOCOCCUS SPP.
S. T. Opper, M. Byrd , E. Ebert, C. Kelly, A. Salter, S. Warner, M. Wright, M. A. Gallo.
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Antibiotic resistance is growing problem in the medical and agricultural fields. Methicillin
resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is of particular concern to doctors and patients alike. In addition,
these strains of Staphylococci commonly possess resistance to other antibiotics. Antibiotic
resistance has been studied in isolates from human disease. Staphylococcus is found in many
environments including the natural flora of many warm blooded mammals. In this study,
Staphylococcal isolates were obtained from the nasal passages of white tail deer, Odocoileus
Virginianus. Metabolic and antibiotic resistance profiles were determined for the strains.
Degenerate primers were created based on information from previously characterized strains of
Staphylococcus spp. and were subsequently used to amplify regions of the genome from these
newly-isolated strains.
22- SURVEY OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM IN BIVALVES (MYA ARENARIA) FROM
ORCHARD BEACH, NY
F. F. A. Tei, J.A. Reid, M.A. Presta, S. Kowalyk, and G. Mayer*
Department of Biology
Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, 10471
Bivalve mollusks, as filter- feeders, play an important role in the integrity of estuarine
ecosystem. Mussels and oysters are raised commercially and are part of our everyday diet.
Recently, bivalves have been shown to be infected with the human intestinal parasites
Cryptosporidium parvum and Toxoplasma gondii. Thus, bivalves could be used as bio-sentinels
for these two human parasites. The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of
protozoan parasites in mollusks of New York City using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay. Four species of mollusks were collected from Orchard Beach, NY in the fall of
2014. Initially, we have focused on C. parvum in Mya arenaria. Eight Mya arenaria were
dissected to harvest the digestive gland, the mantle, the gills, the foot and the siphon. The tissues
were frozen prior to DNA extraction. The presence of C. parvum was assessed by using primers
that target the 18S small ribosomal RNA gene. We found that 3/8 Mya arenaria were infected
with C. parvum. C. parvum DNA was detected in the digestive gland, the foot, the mantle, and
the siphon. We did not detect the parasite in the gills. Our data strongly suggest contamination
of the water environment of Orchard Beach with C. parvum oocysts and that Mya arenaria could
be suitable bio-sentinels for C. parvum.
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BIOCHEMISTRY, CHEMISTRY, ENGINEERING, PHARMACOLOGY
23- INVESTIGATION OF SYNERGISTIC ENZYME DEGRADATION OF
LIGNOCELLULOCE WITH TGA AND TOF-SIMS
E. J. Braham and R. E. Goacher
Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics,
Niagara Universitry, NY
The use of discrete enzymes and enzyme combinations in lignocellulose degradation is a
powerful tool in biofuel and bioproduct production and research. The ability to accurately detect
and assess the nature and extent of degradation caused by an enzyme or system of enzymes is
important in development of more efficient degradation methods. This study investigates the
ability of laccase, xylanase, and cellulase to work together to degrade lignocellulose more
efficiently than discreet enzymes. This talk will focus on TGA and the analysis of TGA data.
Using the methods of first derivative peak fitting and multivariet curve resolution (MCR) the
method of TGA is shown to be a useful tool in detecting lignocellulose degradation. ToF-SIMS
is analyzed via principal component analysis (PCA) in support of the TGA data.
24- IN VITRO SELECTION OF A HYPOXANTHINE PROBE
R. J. Bravo and D. P. Morse
United States Naval Academy Chemistry Department
Annapolis, MD 21402
ADARs are enzymes that convert adenosines to inosine within double-stranded regions of RNA.
These modification events increase protein diversity, regulate gene expression, and impart antiand pro-viral effects. Aberrant ADAR activity has been implicated in the processes of diseases
such as cancer, diabetes, lupus, and Prader-Willi syndrome. The ability to monitor ADAR
activity by measuring the inosine content of cellular RNA would allow for a better understanding
of the roles ADARs play in cellular and pathological processes. The goal of this project is to
produce a probe that can detect hypoxanthine (the base of inosine).
Riboswitches are sequences found in non-coding regions of messenger RNAs. They regulate
gene expression by changing shape upon binding to a specific ligand. The induced
conformational change can affect transcription, translation, splicing, or stability. Because they
bind tightly and specifically to their ligands, riboswitches can be used as highly effective probes.
We are using in vitro selection to change the specificity of a naturally occurring guanine
riboswitch from guanine to hypoxanthine. Starting with a large pool of RNAs that are related to
the guanine riboswitch, we are selecting RNAs that change conformation upon binding to
hypoxanthine. We will describe how the guanine riboswitch was adapted for use in our in vitro
selection experiment and the results of the selection to date.
25
25- SOLUBILITY ENHANCEMENT OF POORLY WATER SOLUBLE DRUG USING
SOLID DISPERSION
I. Ewelina Szydlik, Sanjaykumar Gayakwad,
University of Saint Joseph, School of Pharmacy
229 Trumbull St
Hartford, CT 06103
Nearly 40 % of the new chemical entities currently being discovered are poorly water – soluble
drugs. Since orally administered drugs are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, poor solubility
can lead to slow and erratic drug absorption. Attempts to enhance drug solubility of these drugs
can potentially lead to enhancement in the bioavailability. Solid dispersion (SD), which is a type
of solid – state manipulation, can reduce the inherent limitation of slow and incomplete
dissolution of poorly water soluble drugs by facilitating the formation of solubilized phase
containing the drug, from which absorption can occur. A formulation strategy to improve the
solubility and dissolution of the poorly water soluble drugs will be presented and the role of solid
dispersion in enhancing the solubility and dissolution rate will be elucidated. Data from the
characterization studies of the SDs performed using sophisticated analytical techniques e.g. UV
spectroscopy, USP dissolution apparatus and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
will enable the understanding of the drug content & compatibility as well as drug dissolution &
solubility. Findings from this study will help the audience understand one of the critical issues in
oral solid dosage form development and strategies to overcome it.
26- DEVELOPMENT AND USAGE NOTES FOR TRAILKAM,
A GIS SYSTEM AGGREGATING DATA FOR FIELD RESEARCH
M. McIntyre, Dr. A. Kapolka
Wilkes University Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Biological and environmental researchers often use trail cameras for unattended data collection.
We detail the development of TrailKam.com, a geospatially aware online database which
automatically augments trail camera image data with accurate weather and astronomical
measurements corresponding to the time images were captured. Using an intuitive interface the
system supports image tagging and recording research notes. By aggregating this data,
algorithms can track related values and through this data mining, the system offers the potential
to uncover subtle yet important behavioral patterns. An example case study is presented.
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27- DETERMINING ORDER OF BLACK BALLPOINT PEN INK DEPOSITION ON PAPER
TO IDENTIFY FORGERIES IN QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS USING TIME-OF-FLIGHT
SECONDARY ION MASS SPECTROMETRY
S. Livingston and R. E. Goacher
Niagara University Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics.
Niagara University, Lewiston, NY 14109.
A questioned document is considered to be any written document where there is doubt in its
source or authenticity. The conventional methods to identify forgeries rely on visual exams,
which depend upon the judgment of an individual, or are highly dependent on the solvent
system, possibly altering the surface composition over the analysis time. Therefore effective nondestructive tools to examine questioned documents are necessary. For this reason, preliminary
studies were performed to assess the potential of time-of-flight secondary mass spectrometry
(TOF-SIMS) in determining the deposition order of layered black ballpoint pen inks. Mass
spectra and images of intersections of three brands of black ballpoint pens were acquired through
TOF-SIMS. From the spectra, the composition of the various inks could be determined. Also,
through PCA image analysis, by showing only the composition of the top ink at the intersection,
the order of deposition of the inks could be determined of two different brands. Further analysis
is to be completed on the possibility of matrix effects that questioned documents could be
exposed to, such as fingerprints, sunlight exposure, coffee stains etc. Though these initial
findings provide a basis for determining the order of deposition of various inks and demonstrate
the potential for a non-destructive technique to identify forgeries in a questioned document.
27
BOTANY
28- XYLEM CONDUCTIVITY OF PETIOLES AND PRIMARY STEM TISSUES AT STEM
TERMINALS OF HERBACEOUS PLANT SPECIES
C. Auricchio
Manhattan College Department of Biology Department
Bronx, NY 10471
Parts of the plant like Stem tissues, leaves and flowers are produced by the shoot apical
meristem. Cell production of meristems is dependent on cell maturity and developmental
functions of newly formed cells produced by the meristems. Relationships between xylem
contributions to leaves versus xylem conductivity solely in the stem were determined by
examining xylem conductivity of terminal shoot meristems. Stem and Petiole xylem conductivity
analyses for the 29 species were restrained to observing stem terminal that only have primary
xylem cells and less than five leaves more than 15 mm in length. Cumulative leaf areas ranged
from 3.1 to 82 cm2, stem diameters ranged from 0.82 to 3.88 mm, and maximum leaf xylem
conductivities ranged from 0.0019 to 0.549 g cm MPa -1 s-1. Petiole xylem conductivities (g cm
MPa-1 s-1) with leaf areas (cm2) for individual plant species was scaled well. (All r2 values above
0.92). Scaling of petiole xylem conductivity (g cm MPa-1 s-1) of the oldest leaf sampled with
xylem conductivity (g cm MPa-1 s-1) of the stem subtending the oldest leaf sampled of each
species tested. (r2=0.92). Cumulative petiole xylem conductivities (g cm MPa-1 s-1) (cumulative
starting with terminal petioles) with xylem conductivities (g cm MPa-1 s-1) of subtending stems
among the species tested was scaled well also (all r2 above 0.90). For pooled species, scaling of
cumulative petiole conductivity (g cm MPa-1 s-1) (sum of all petiole conductivities) with the
xylem conductivity (g cm MPa-1 s-1) of the stem subtending the oldest leaf sampled of each
species tested was scaled incredibly well (r2=0.99) Overall, there is a strong correlation between
stem xylem conductivities as petioles are added stem conductivities at shoot apices for the 29
plant species.
29- DYNAMICS OF XYLEM CELL AND VASCULAR BUNDLE DEVELOPMENT IN A
STEM NODE OF AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA
D. Luzuriaga
Manhattan College Department of Biology
Bronx, NY 10471
Grasses have various levels of water use efficiency. Understanding water use efficiency and the
process of water movement in grasses is critical to their ability to provide grains. Water is
conducted in grasses through xylem vessels within individual vascular bundles. There are no
current studies that look at the entire developmental process of individual vascular bundles
within grass stem nodes. This experiment tracked vessels included changes in the number and
location of each vascular bundles and the number of xylem elements within each bundle.
Overall, 91 serial tissue sections (total length of 2.7mm) were processed from a nodal plexus for
a stem of Agrostis stolonifera. Forty bundles already present and sixteen bundles that emerged
spontaneously within the node were placed into a variety of categories. Of the forty original
bundles, 45% bifurcated and stayed within the stem, 13% bifurcated and contributed bundles to
28
the leaf. Fifteen percent of bundles did not bifurcate but stayed within the stem. Fifteen percent
of bundles did not bifurcate but moved into the leaf. The remaining 12% had a variety of fates.
Sixteen bundles arose spontaneously within the node and they terminated or merged with other
bundles. The number of xylem vessels was recorded for each bundle within each tissue section
for this study. Overall, the number of vessels in bundles increased prior to bundle bifurcation and
decreased before bundles terminated spontaneously. This is the first study that tracked all xylem
vessels and all vascular bundles within a nodal plexus of a grass species.
30- XYLEM CONDUCTIVITY IN STEMS OF 22 SPECIES OF COLUMNAR CACTI OF
SOUTH AMERICA
K. Skonieczny
Manhattan College Department of Biology
Bronx, NY 10471
Cactus plants are native to environments in which availability of water is limiting to plant
growth. For several tall cactus species, it may be necessary that water be transported a large
distance, sometimes several meters, from their roots all the way up to their terminals. The
purpose of conducting this study was to determine if simplifications exist concerning vascular
bundles, water conduits, as well as xylem conductivity values in twenty-two columnar cactus
species from South America. Vessel cells, or conduits, are oriented in vertically-aligned bundles
contained within cactus stems and transport water from roots to tips. The number of vascular
bundles for each plant is constant; however, the number of vessels in these bundles varies. For
each of the species tested there was a unique relationship between the overall number of conduits
within the stem and stem volumes. However, these relationships pertaining to conduits and
volume differed by ten-fold among the tested species. The study revealed that there were two
times as many conduits located a distance 300 mm from stem tips as at 150 mm. In addition,
xylem conductivity values differed markedly among species. However, the largest stem
conductivity values were well correlated with the total volumes of the terminal portions of
sampled cactus stems. The data displays a wide array of individual relationships among the
tested species, but overall, they demonstrate that the amount of conduits and xylem conductivity
values are predictable when considering stem volume.
31- DEVELOPMENT OF EPIDERMAL AND HYPODERMAL CELLS IN SHOOT APICAL
MERISTEMS OF CACTUS SPECIES FROM SOUTH AMERICA
E. Behrami
Manhattan College Department of Biology
Bronx, NY 10471
Cactus plants produce dermal layers such as a thick cuticle, epidermis and hypodermis by shoot
apical meristems. These layers cover stem tissues in order to restrict water loss. Dermal layers of
stems from twelve species of columnar cacti from South America were analyzed to determine if
they were similar to cactus samples from previous studies. Cuticles from the twelve species
ranged from 3 to 51 µm thick, epidermal layers ranged from 18 to 72 µm thick, and hypodermal
layers ranged from 64 to 530 µm thick. These thicknesses were similar to dermal layers from
29
published scientific papers. Data show that thicknesses of epidermal layers were positively
correlated with thicknesses of cuticular layers among the twelve species. Likewise, thicknesses
of hypodermal layers were positively correlated with thicknesses of epidermal layers among the
twelve species. Studies also determined the distances required for dermal layers to become
mature after they were produced by the shoot apical meristem. In general, cuticles, epidermal
layers and hypodermal layers became completely developed between 2.3 to 87, 3.7 to 71, and
from 2.4 to 94 mm from the meristem, respectively, among the species tested. These distances
appear rather large considering that much water loss by transpiration could occur from shoot
apical meristems.
32- MECHANICAL STRESSES OF PRIMARY BRANCHES AND TREE BRANCH
MORPHOLOGY
L. Wehrli
Manhattan College Department of Biology
Bronx, NY 10471
Tree branches contain leaves that photosynthesize to produce sugars for overall branch growth.
Tree branches exhibit a wide variety of morphologies. The purpose of this research was to
understand relationships between the presence of leaves and mechanical stresses of tree
branches. Branches from ten tree species were analyzed. Stresses were determined along each
branch and analyzed relative to the placement of leaves along branches. Among the tree species
cumulative leaf area was positively correlated with distances along the branch. Among the tree
species maximum tree stress with leaves was positively correlated with leaf masses. Analyses
were done comparing stresses on branches with and without leaves. Branch stress with leaves
was ten times greater than when leaves were not present. These data indicate that weights,
distributions and arrangements of leaves are the main determinants of branch stress. Mechanical
stresses of branches with leaves can be accurately predicted based upon stresses of branches
without leaves and vice versa. These data provide a unifying view of the relationships between
leaf arrangements and branch stresses.
33- DYNAMICS OF ECCENTRIC STEM DEVELOPMENT OF ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA VAR.
WYOMINGENSIS
H. Graney
Manhattan College Biology Department,
Bronx, NY 10471
This research determined the eccentric nature of a stem segment of Artemisia tridentata in order
to understand xylary ring development. A stem segment of 28.9 cm in length was selected for
this research. The stem segment was from a naturally occurring plant near Fremont Canyon,
Utah. This stem segment was cut into 32 equally spaced samples. Each sample was
photographed and placed into Microsoft Paint. Thereafter measurement of ten equally spaced
transects 36 degrees apart (0 degrees, 36, et.) were drawn on each image. The depth of each
xylary ring for each of the transects was determined with ImageJ. The basal portion of this stem
had 36 xylary rings whereas the more acropetal portion had 18 xylary rings. All rings except the
two inner most rings were eccentric. The xylary depths fluctuated along the stem. For example in
30
stem samples 18 mm apart some xylary rings present in one sample were not present in the
adjacent sample. This happened in five of the ten transects between these two samples. Many
other examples are presented. This eccentric growth begins in the second year of stem growth
and is maintained throughout the life of individual stems. This eccentric growth is the result of
the allocation of resources from vegetative growth to reproductive growth to produce a large
number of seeds each year.
31
Poster
Abstracts
32
POSTER PRESENTATIONS (Odd numbered)
HEALTH SCIENCE & MICROBIOLOGY
P1-­‐ SYNERGISTIC ACTIVATION OF THE AMPA AND KAINATE RECEPTORS
INCREASES VULNERABILITY OF AGING WHITE MATTER TO ISCHEMIA
S. J. Griffith
John Carroll University, Neuroscience Program
University Heights, OH 44118
The human brain consists of equal portions of gray and white matter (WM) and WM is injured in
most strokes. Blockade of AMPA/kainate receptors using NBQX promotes axon function
recovery after ischemia in both young and aging WM. This study investigated whether
excitotoxicity is mediated via age-specific glutamate receptor types. Mouse optic nerves obtained
from 1 or 12 month-old male mice were used to monitor axon function while exposing MONs to
oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Young MONs typically recovered better after OGD.
Blocking Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors with NASPM or kainate receptors with UBP-302
individually provided no protection in young WM. The same approaches promoted axon
function recovery in aging WM. Combined blockade of Ca2+-permeable AMPA and kainate
receptors preserved both young and aging WM. GluR4 subunit levels increased in aging WM
suggesting that Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors may become more important in mediating
ischemic injury in aging WM. Results suggest that Ca2+-permeable and kainate receptors
contribute to ischemic injury in aging WM.
P3- DETECTION OF CIRCULATING MICROPARTICLES BY APOGEE MICRO FLOW
CYTOMETRY
N. A. Wanner
John Carroll University, Neuroscience Program
John Carroll University, OH 44118
Microparticles (MPs) are subcellular, plasma membrane-derived vesicles having important roles
in cellular communication. Increased numbers of MPs have the potential to be a novel biomarker
for disease status. This study was conducted to establish a protocol for the enumeration and
characterization of MPs, specifically endothelial-derived MPs, (EMPs) and to explore the
potential for MPs to be used as a biomarker of disease in asthma using the newly available
Apogee A50 Micro Flow Cytometer. Plasma samples from healthy controls and asthma patients
(6 subjects from each group) were processed to isolate MPs then stained in order to characterize
the MPs. Analysis indicated that asthma patients had increased numbers of MPs and EMPs,
although significance was not reached within a limited sample size. The percentage of EMPs was
significantly higher in asthma patients, which is an exciting outcome inspiring future studies
aimed to explore the physiological and pathological role of MPs
33
P5- INFLUENCE OF URINE SAMPLING TIME ON METABOLOMIC ANALYSIS USING
NMR
T. Ekas, H. Nimjareansuk, A.J. Reid, J. Hughes, S. Guide, C. Wirth, L. Kortekaas, C. Shields, F.
Crosby, L. Mielnicki, M. McCourt
Niagara University Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry & Physics and Nursing,
Niagara University, NY 14109
Metabolite analysis of body fluids is being investigated as a measure of determining disease
status. Metabonomic analysis has been used on a wide variety of diseases such as breast cancer,
heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Previous work has focused on body fluids such as blood and
cerebrospinal fluid, acquired with expensive and invasive techniques. Urine is an easily and
inexpensively obtained body fluid. There are however, concerns with its use in terms of storage
and time of donation. Food consumption, for instance, may interfere with or confound the
metabolite analysis. This would impact upon when urine sampling should be done in future urine
analyses. This study was performed to determine whether there is intra-individual variation in
metabolites from fasting and non-fasting urine samples in order to decide if a fasting urine
sample is necessary for metabolomics analysis. Twenty-eight matched fasting/non-fasting urine
sample pairs were analyzed using proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (1-H
NMR). Binned data were statistically analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The
PCA analysis revealed very little difference in metabolite differentiation based on sampling time
was observed within the 95% confidence level suggesting that fasting may not be a pre-requisite
for collection of urine for metabolomics analysis.
P7- METABOLOMIC ANALYIS OF BREAST CANCER LINE AQUEOUS MATERIAL
USING NMR SPECTROSCOPY
A. Lesko, M.Castaldo, S. Fuest, S. Haugabook, H. Nimjareansuk, J. Hughes, L. M. Mielnicki, M.
P. McCourt
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
Breast cancer, the most common malignant tumor in women within the United States and
most of the Western world, is the second largest cause of cancer death in women. A successful
outcome in the battle against this disease very much depends on early diagnosis and effective
treatment choices. There exists a great need for a simple, noninvasive, easily accessible
diagnostic methodology sensitive enough to allow early detection of breast cancer.
Metabolonomic analysis of urine shows promise as a technique that may address this need. In an
effort to begin development of urine-based markers for a breast cancer screen, differences in the
aqueous metabolic products of normal and tumorigenic mammary epithelia cells [human
mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), non-tumorigenic (MCF10A, MCF12A), tumorigenic (MCF7,
MDA-MB-231, TNBC 1937)] were assessed. 1H NMR of the aqueous components of the
extracted cells was performed using a 400MHz NMR with a water suppression module and a
defined internal standard (DSS). Processed spectra were analyzed after binning. Integrated areas
were statistically examined using Principal Component Analysis (PCA, Hotelling T2, 97%
34
confidence level) to define spectral regions that differentiate cell lines from each other. Regions
responsible for separation were reanalyzed in Chenomx for specific metabolites through a
targeted profile method, with suggested metabolites being found.
P9- DETECTION OF A LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES INFECTION IN THE ZEBRAFISH
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM; DEVELOPMENT OF SQUASH A SQUASHED TISSUE
PREPARATION FOR IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE LABELING
B. J. Kocurek, A. P. Spano, C. P. Corbo
Wagner College, Department of Biological Sciences
Wagner College, Staten Island, NY 10301
Listeria monocytogenes is a gram positive, food bourne, intracellular bacterium, which is known
to enter the central nervous system and cause a central nervous system infection. L.
Monocytogenes is the causative agent of the infection listeriosis, which is normally cleared by a
patient’s immune system. However, the immuno-compromised, newborns, pregnant women, and
the elderly are prone to a more serious infection, which can eventually lead to death in extreme
cases. The goal of this study was to set up a central nervous system infection model in adult
zebrafish, and cause a central nervous system via injection into the iris of the eye. Results were
obtained using immunhistochemical staining and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Being an
intracellular pathogen, we have previously hypothesized and demonstrated that L.
Monocytogenes would enter the optic tectum via the optic nerve. Each specimen was injected in
the eye and brain extraction was performed at 24hr, 48hr, 98hr and 7 day post-injection. Once the
brains were extracted, they were smashed onto slides and fixed using paraformaldehyde. After
the immunohistochemical reaction, the slides were mounted. These slides were then imaged
using confocal microscopy. During evaluation of the z-stacks, we found gram-positive cells
representing L. Monocytogenes among then cells of the periventricular grey zone of the optic
tectum. Evidence of L. Monocytogenes leaving the host cells was also present in the z-stacks.
P11- IDENTIFICATION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN ADULT ZEBRAFISH USING
THE GRAM STAIN REACTION
A. P. Spano, B. J. Kocurek, C. P. Corbo
Wagner College, Department of Biological Sciences
Wagner college, Staten island, NY 10301
Listeria monocytogenes is a gram- positive, food bourne, intracellular bacterium that is the
causative microbe for listeriosis, which can be fatal in the immunocompomised, the elderly, the
very young, and those with a suppressed immune system. Infection in healthy individuals is very
uncommon. L. monocytogenes is known to attack the central nervous system. Our lab has set out
to develop a model of a L. monocytogenes central nervous system infection. The goal of this
study is to see if L. monocytogenes can be detected in the zebrafish brain tissue using the Gram
Stain reaction. Using zebrafish as our model, each specimen was injected into the iris of the eye
with approximately 2ul of a 24- hour culture of L. monocytogenes. Being an intracellular
pathogen, we hypothesized that Listeria would travel through to the optic tectum of the brain via
the optic nerve. We have previously demonstrated that L. monocytogenes reaches the optic
35
tectum of the adult zebrafish when injected into the eye. At the time points of 1, 2, and 7 days
post- injection, each fish’s brain was extracted, squashed into a monolayer of cells and fixed
using paraformaldehyde. After gram staining each sample, dehydrating the tissue and mounting
with permount, they were examined using light microscopy. During examination, we found
gram-positive cells present among the cells of the periventricular grey zone of the optic tectum.
There were also gram- positive cells present with the cells of the central nervous system.
P13- ULTRASTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE ZEBRAFISH VISUAL SYSTEM
INFECTED WITH LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES
T. Mendez & C. P. Corbo
Wagner College, Department of Biological Sciences
Wagner College, Staten Island, NY 10301
Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive bacterium that invades host cells causing listeriosis in
immunocompromised patients and may cause death. In severe cases, this pathogen has been
shown to invade the central nervous system (CNS). Listeria monocytogenes grows well at low
temperatures allowing it to colonize on refrigerated foods. Our lab has begun to describe this
mode of infection and is in the process of establishing this as a successful model to study a L.
monocytogenes CNS infection in a vertebrate organism. This project has set out to characterize
the cellular pathology at the ultrastructural level. Infected zebrafish brains and retinas which had
previously been infected with L. monocytogenes were fixed with glutaraldehyde and osmium
tetroxide at specific time points, dehydrated through an increasing ethanol concentration, and
dried for scanning electron microscopy or embedded and sectioned for light and transmission
electron microscopy. At the light microscopic level, cells of the periventricular grey zone
(PVGZ) were seen to be unhealthy in appearance. Transmission electron microscopy revealed
the presence of Listeria in the optic tectum of the zebrafish brain. Specifically residing in and
among the cells of the PVGZ. This region of the brain is the direct input of the optic nerve and
the major visual processing cortex of the zebrafish. Listeria cells can be seen between the cell
bodies of the PVGZ. The cells of this region were also, in some cases damaged, appearing as if a
hole was punched into the side of cells.
P15- INVESTIGATING THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANTIMALARIAL AND
ANTIRETROVIRAL DRUGS
S. Saeed, M. Ramirez, and G. Mayer
Manhattan College, Department of Biology
Riverdale, NY 10471
Malaria and AIDS are two infectious diseases that are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa due to
geographic overlap. Malaria, caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, is transmitted to
humans by the female Anopheles mosquito. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which
can lead to AIDS, is a retrovirus that damages the immune system by destroying CD4 T- cells. It
is transmitted both parentally and sexually. Previous research in our laboratory has shown that
co-infected patients in Benin City, Nigeria, taking both antiretroviral and antimalarial drugs, still
had Plasmodium present in their bloodstream. We have demonstrated that P. falciparum was the
36
only species present in these patients at a prevalence of 28.7%. We have also shown a lack of
correlation between the levels of CD4 T-cells and Plasmodium in these patients suggesting no
interaction between HIV and Plasmodium. Therefore, we hypothesized that antiretroviral drugs
3
are inhibiting the antimalarial drugs. This was tested by performing a H- hypoxanthine
incorporation assay in the presence of antimalarial and antiretroviral drugs, used individually and
in combination. We found that the antimalarial drugs, sulfadoxine and lumefantrine, were
inhibited by the antiretroviral drugs, zidovudine, lamivudine, and stavudine, respectively. We
also found that stavudine had the most inhibitory effect on the antimalarial drugs.
MICROBIOLOGY
P17- ANALYSIS OF HFQ FUNCTION IN GROWTH AND OXIDATIVE STRESS
ADAPTATION IN THE METAL-REDUCING BACTERIUM SHEWANELLA ONEIDENSIS
N. Q. Mazzucca, T. M. Hunt, E. A. Hodges, and B. J. Pellock
Providence College Department of Biology
Providence, RI 02918
Hfq is an RNA chaperone protein broadly implicated in sRNA function in bacteria. Loss of the
RNA chaperone Hfq in the dissimilatory metal reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis results
in slow exponential phase growth, a reduced terminal cell density in stationary phase, a striking
loss of colony forming units in extended stationary phase, and an exquisite sensitivity to both
hydrogen peroxide and superoxide stress. We have found that the exponential phase growth
defect of the hfq mutant in LB is the result of reduced heme levels. Both heme levels and
exponential phase growth of the hfq mutant can be completely restored by supplementing LB
medium with 5-aminolevulinic acid, the first committed intermediate synthesized during heme
synthesis. Increasing gtrA expression via an inducible plasmid vector also restores heme levels
and exponential phase growth of the hfq mutant. Our data suggest that reduced heme levels are
solely responsible for the exponential growth defect of the S. oneidensis hfq mutant in LB
medium. We are currently investigating the possible role of reduced heme levels as one potential
explanation for the hfq mutant’s defect in oxidative stress resistance and stationary phase
survival.
P19- ANALYSIS OF HFQ FUNCTION IN GROWTH AND OXIDATIVE STRESS
ADAPTATION IN THE METAL-REDUCING BACTERIUM SHEWANELLA ONEIDENSIS
E. A. Hodges, N. Q. Mazzucca, T. M. Hunt, and B. J. Pellock
Providence College Department of Biology
Providence, RI 02918
Hfq is an RNA chaperone protein broadly implicated in sRNA function in bacteria. Loss of the
RNA chaperone Hfq in the dissimilatory metal reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis results
in slow exponential phase growth, a reduced terminal cell density in stationary phase, a striking
loss of colony forming units in extended stationary phase, and an exquisite sensitivity to both
hydrogen peroxide and superoxide stress. We have found that the exponential phase growth
37
defect of the hfq mutant in LB is the result of reduced heme levels. Both heme levels and
exponential phase growth of the hfq mutant can be completely restored by supplementing LB
medium with 5-aminolevulinic acid, the first committed intermediate synthesized during heme
synthesis. Increasing gtrA expression via an inducible plasmid vector also restores heme levels
and exponential phase growth of the hfq mutant. Our data suggest that reduced heme levels are
solely responsible for the exponential growth defect of the S. oneidensis hfq mutant in LB
medium. We are currently investigating the possible role of reduced heme levels as one potential
explanation for the hfq mutant’s defect in oxidative stress resistance and stationary phase
survival.
P21- ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT BACTERIA IN AMERICAN CROWS IN NEWBURGH, NY
A. Cintula, D. A. Robinson, Jr.
Mount Saint Mary College Division of Natural Sciences
Newburgh, NY 12550
Evidence suggests that bacteria with antibiotic resistance can travel through the food web, with
organisms living in close association with humans potentially acting as a reservoir and vector of
antibiotic resistant bacteria. Our study aimed to identify a possible connection between
environmental bacteria and bacteria found within American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
nestlings, as well as identify the prevalence of antibiotic resistance within these two bacterial
flora. In Newburgh, NY, we collected cloacal bacteria from pre-fledgling American Crow
nestlings (n=15 from 3 broods) and collected soil and potential invertebrate prey from known
related care-taker foraging sites (n=9) and randomly-chosen control sites (n=9).
Enterobacteriaceae collected from the cloaca and the environmental were tested for antibiotic
resistance to 12 commonly used human antibiotics. All isolated bacteria (n=56) were resistant to
vancomycin, with 86% of bacteria resistant to at least one other antibiotic. More than 70% of
nestlings had bacteria that were resistant to at least one antibiotic; 82% and 72% of bacteria from
foraging sites and control sites, respectively, were resistant to at least one antibiotic besides
vancomycin. Despite the ubiquity of antibiotic resistance in the tested bacteria, there does not
appear to be a strong correlation of bacterial antibiotic resistance between the nestlings and the
local environment. Ongoing research into the identity of isolated bacteria will be informative to
the transmission pathway between the environment and the nestlings, as well as provide insights
into the potential risk of these antibiotic resistant bacteria to humans.
38
P23- ISOLATION OF BACTERIOPHAGES FROM SEWAGE THAT INFECT ESCHERICHIA
COLI AND PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA
J. R. Cohen
Wagner College Department of Biological Sciences
Staten Island, NY 10301
This research serves the purpose of isolating the different kind/s if any of bacteriophages
That will infect Escherichia coli and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are taken from a
sewage source. Once found, it can be then identified and isolated for further research.
The bacteriophage/s found may serve as an alternative to taking antibiotics to cure an
infection caused by E.coli or P. aeruginosa. Following the procedure stated in this paper,
allowed the ability to isolate a bacteriophage taken from a sewage treatment plant known as the
Joint
Meeting Sewage Dispose in Elizabeth, NJ. It was found that only the E. coli tested positive
in providing growth of bacteriophages taken from the collected sample of sewage water. The P.
aeruginosa did not show any sign of plaque formation by a bacteriophage suggesting that the
sewage may not have contained a virus specific to P. aeruginosa.
P25- ANALYSIS OF LARGE AND SMALL COLONY VARIANTS OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS
J. Mustafa, A. Siedlecki, D. Monsalve, T. Raleigh, M. Gallo, PhD
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Staphylococci are common inhabitants of many warm-blooded animals. There is much diversity
in their metabolic capability. Strains of Staph were isolated from white tail deer, Odocoileus
virginianus. A large variation in growth rate was noted for the isolates. Some, termed smallcolony variants, were identified on tryptic-soy agar plates. These variants showed several
different phenotypes: some could be “rescued” by growth on other media; some produced a low
percentage of normal-growth rate offspring; and some remained small on the various
media. This study will investigate the mechanism(s) responsible for these phenotypes and the
significance of this mechanism on the bacterium’s survival.
P27- GENOMIC ANALYSIS OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS BACTERIOPHAGE
C. S. Campomizzi, J. P. Lioi, Dr. M. A. Gallo Ph.D.
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Staphylococcus is a normal inhabitant of humans. Certain strains of Staphylococcus exhibit
pathogenic characteristics with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being the
most prevalent. There are numerous strategies, including antibiotics, that are failing due to the
increased resistance of many Staphylococcus strains. New methods are constantly being
explored in order to combat this ever-growing problem; one involves the use of bacteriophage to
kill the target bacteria. This investigation explored the genomic components for comparative
39
analysis and the identification of prophage. Staph isolated from indigenous deer were screened
with primers for vital genes regarding viral replication and insertion as well as CRISPR/Cas
elements.
P29- ISOLATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS BACTERIOPHAGE
M. L. Helf, M. R. Rice, J. P. Lioi, Dr. M. A. Gallo Ph.D.
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Staphylococcus is a normal inhabitant of humans. Certain strains of Staphylococcus exhibit
pathogenic characteristics with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being the
most prevalent. There are numerous strategies, including antibiotics, that are failing due to the
increased resistance of many Staphylococcus strains. New methods are constantly being
explored in order to combat this ever-growing problem; one involves the use of bacteriophage to
kill the target bacteria. This was done using two techniques, namely by taking wellcharacterized phage to type the sensitivity of Staph isolates from deer and second, inducing
phage to isolate viruses from the Staph isolated from deer which were tested against known
Staphylococcal species to determine their range of effectiveness.
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES
P31- MODELING, SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF SERVO
PNEUMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM
I. C. P. Woodrow, J. Riofrio
Western New England University, College of Engineering
Springfield, MA 01119
Servo-pneumatic systems are increasing in popularity for industrial applications. They have
many advantages over servo-hydraulic and servo-electric systems. They are relatively
inexpensive, precise and compact. While there are many advantages to using a servo-pneumatic
system, properly modeling and controlling the motion of a servo-pneumatic system is more
complex. Properly modeling and simulating the motion of servo-pneumatic systems using
MATLAB and Simulink would provide a beneficial contribution to the field of pneumatics. This
paper offers a mathematic model to simulate the motion control of servo-pneumatic systems
incorporating all components of the system including valve dynamics, piston dynamics and
thermodynamic changes in the system. In addition, this mathematical model has been
experimentally validated using off the shelf servo-pneumatic components.
40
P33- DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF AN ULTRASONIC ACOUSTIC LEVITATOR
T. T. Nguyen
College of Engineering
Western New England University, MA 01119
Sponsor: Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Acoustic levitation is an emerging technology in the pharmaceutical industry for improving drug
development and efficiency. An acoustic levitator uses an ultrasonic transducer to generate
sound waves at an emitted angle, which are reflected back at the same angle using a reflector.
Subsequently, the emitted and reflected waves cause interferences, which create standing waves
in the acoustic field. These standing waves can be used to suspend small objects under existing
nodes, or in this case small droplets of solution. The goal of this project, sponsored by Vertex
Pharmaceuticals, is to design and build an acoustic levitator to study the evaporation behavior of
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solutions. Certain variables controlling the levitation process
needed to be considered during the design. These variables are: frequency of the sound waves,
distance between the transducer and reflector, and geometry of the reflector and transducer.
COMSOL Multiphysics was used to assess these variables by simulating the resultant acoustic
field. Each simulation yielded the system resonance frequency, the distance at which standing
waves are created, and the resulting acoustic radiation force in the acoustic field. The simulations
show that the system with the concave radiating plate and concave reflector of equal radius will
provide a stronger and more stable acoustic radiation force in the acoustic field. The resonance
frequency, or operating frequency, is 47.3 KHz. The resulting acoustic radiation force is 1.3 uN,
which is able to levitate a droplet with a 0.637 mm diameter. COMSOL simulations will aid the
building process of the levitator.
P35- PRESENTING THE INFORMATION VALUE OF DIFFERENT RESOLUTIONS IN
DIGITAL BRAIN IMAGES USING AN EMBRYONIC RAT BRAIN SECTION
J. A. Roggeveen, G. S. Langella, Z. Fulop*
Wagner College Department of Biological Sciences
Staten Island, NY 10301
A region of embryonic rat brain was digitally photographed with an Olympus BX40 Microscope
equipped with a 10MP (MU1000) video camera using four different objectives (4x, 10x, 20x,
40x). The different objectives were used to analyze the value of different resolutions in balancing
the amount of work needed to make the pictures with the worth (or information value) of the
image when using Photoshop (version 12.0). The images captured were montaged and arranged
into series. This information will be used in preparation of a digital microscopic atlas of different
aged embryonic rat brains. This poster presents the pictures in printed versions while the
digitalized images will be shown via laptop computer.
41
P37-­‐ DIFFERENCES IN PHOTOPHYSIOLOGY OF ADULT FEMALE DAPHNIA MAGNA
OBTAINED FROM DIFFERENT BIOLOGICAL SUPPLY HOUSES
Y.Y. Cheung, D. Stearns and J. Blaize
Wagner College Department of Biological Sciences
Staten Island, NY 10301
This research used behavioral responses to light to compare the photophysiologies of Daphnia
magna from three supply companies (Carolina Biological Supply Company, Connecticut Valley
Biological Supply Company, Ward’s Science). For each treatment, each of 10 test organisms
was exposed five times to the same light stimulus (1.6 µEm-2s-1 of 410-nm light) and compared
with dark controls for location in the test chamber after 15-30 s light exposure. Analysis of
variance comparisons allowed for pooling for each treatment (10 x 5 = 50) and allowed
additional pooling of 15-s and 30-s exposures, further increasing sample size. In addition to the
three company treatments, the Carolina and Connecticut clones were tested before and after
rinsing with spring water containing no fish chemicals. While rinsing of Connecticut specimens
made no significant difference in photobehavior, rinsing did affect photoresponses of Carolina
organisms, indicating an environmental effect. Pooled data showed much more variability in
photoresponses for Carolina organisms compared with specimens from the other two companies,
as well as significant (p < 0.05) phototactic differences, suggesting a genetic effect as well.
Restriction digests were prepared and electrophoresed to look for genetic differences to which
variation in phototactic response may be attributed.
P39- NON-TOXIC AND INEXPENSIVE GEL ELECTROPHORESIS AND OBSERVATION
OF SOY PROTEIN MOVEMENT OBTAINED FROM FLOUR
D. S. Hanna
John Carroll University, Neuroscience Program
University Heights, OH 44118
Gel electrophoresis is a technique that is often used to separate and analyze proteins based on
their movement in an electrically charged field. The current research project utilized gel
electrophoresis and consisted of eight experiments, each performed in an effort to produce a gel
that would yield results comparable to those obtained from a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel.
In this experiment, the environment was manipulated to produce a gel that gave desirable results
in regards to staining and protein banding tightness. The objective was to produce an inexpensive
gel using store-bought flour samples while simultaneously reducing the toxicity levels of the
chemicals used. It was found that Tris-acetate EDTA (TAE) buffer produced the best results.
With these findings, researchers and students around the world can utilize this project to their
benefit, not only to get results, but also to work in a safer environment using inexpensive
materials.
42
P41- GLAUCOMA RESEARCH: DETERMINING THE BEST VIRUS FOR INFECTING
RETINAL GANGLION CELLS, AAV2 OR AAV5
R. L. Welch
John Carroll University, Neuroscience Program
University Heights, OH 44118
Glaucoma is an irreversible eye disorder that affects millions of people around the world. As of
now, there is no cure for the disorder, and many of the treatments prove to be very expensive.
There has been some research involving the use of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) as a way to
infect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and to give neuroprotection so that they will not degenerate,
as happens in glaucoma. The present study examined the effectiveness of the two strands of the
AAV virus, AAV2 and AAV5, and demonstrated that AAV2 better infected the RGCs. It also
determined that it was necessary to include an enzyme with the virus, as well as the optimal
amount of time to allow the virus to remain in the eye before results were obtained.
P43- CAPABILITIES OF TIME-OF-FLIGHT SECONDARY ION MASS SPECTROMETRY
TO IMAGE ARTIFICIALLY WEATHERED WOOD-POLYMER COMPOSITES
J. R. Stroka, Dr. R. E. Goacher
Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics, Niagara University, NY 14109
Wood-polymer composites (WPCs) are an attractive material to use in building and decking
because of their lower cost and environmental impact. There is a concern as to the long term
integrity of WPCs, especially in outdoor applications. Some research into the durability of WPCs
has shown support for the idea that the weakening of WPCs over time could be caused by a
decreased interaction between the wood and polymer. It would therefore be of interest to learn
more about the distribution of components (for example, coupling agents) at the wood-polymer
interface. In this experiment, we set out to determine if the chemical imaging capabilities of a
Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (ToF-SIMS) were an effective way of
observing the degradation of WPCs. Commercial WPCs were obtained and weathered so as to
simulate a year’s worth of exposure to rain, UV radiation, and freeze-thaw cycles, both alone and
in combination. The surface of the samples was analyzed using a ToF-SIMS at five different
stages of the weathering process. Topography was analyzed using a Scanning Electron
Microscope (SEM) and the durability of the samples was measured at the end of weathering
using flexural strength testing. Principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate curve
resolution (MCR) were utilized to compare the spectra and images of the samples obtained from
the ToF-SIMS in order to estimate the extent of weathering for each sample relative to each other
and a control.
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P45- SYSTEMATIC COMPARISON OF SOLID-SAMPLING INSTRUMENTAL METHODS
TO DETECT THE ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION OF WOOD
N. Zerby, C. Whitney, R. E. Goacher, PhD
Niagara University Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
In order for lignocellulosic derived molecules to become a feasible and eco-friendly primary
source for biofuels and chemicals in the future, we must start not only by determining the
optimal experimental conditions for degradation of complex plant matter, but must also develop
instrumental methods to detect and quantify such degradation. In this work, we investigate the
degradation of both hardwood (birch) and softwood (spruce) samples using enzymes (cellulase,
laccase and xylanase) to break down their cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose components,
respectively. The instrumental methods used to quantify the enzymatic degradation were chosen
to minimize sample preparation and include: Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Time-ofFlight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), and Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy (FTIR). All of these instruments are able to analyze solid and generally untreated
lignocellulose samples, accommodating its inherent difficulty in solvating. Our goals are both to
determine which instrumental method is most sensitive for our purposes, as well as to determine
which conditions lead to the most thorough and efficient degradation of wood. To this last point,
comparisons of unextracted versus extracted wood samples will be made in order to determine if
removing small molecules in the wood would change the ease with which degradation is
monitored, or otherwise alter the extent of degradation.
P47- ANALYSIS OF ALZHEIMER’S METABOLITES IN URINE
A. Stefurak, J. Hughes, C. Wirth, S. Gulde, L. Mielnicki, M. McCourt.
Niagara University Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degeneration of the brain’s neurons. Definitive diagnosis of AD is
only possible post-mortem. Advanced neural imaging along with cognitive testing is the current
pre-mortem method of diagnosis. There is an urgent need to develop a test that can be used as a
diagnostic tool as well as a tool to monitor progress. Recent advances have been made in the
assay of spinal fluid using techniques of metabolomics analysis. These techniques are expensive,
invasive and not readily available to all. A simple diagnostic test based on urine metabolic
analysis would be an inexpensive alternative. Additionally, identification of metabolic markers
in urine correlating to AD status would be potentially useful for early diagnosis. In order to
explore the feasibility of this approach, a study of a small cohort of patients from an inpatient
nursing home has been carried out. Urine was collected from an AD diagnosed group and a
control group of comparable age. Samples were analyzed using Proton Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance spectroscopy. The output data was binned using Chenomx software. Principle
Component Analysis was performed on binned data using Umetrics SIMCA-P software. The
analysis suggests that there are regions of the spectra that provide excellent separation of AD and
non-AD cohorts. These are presently being analyzed in a targeted way for identification of
specific metabolites.
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45
CHEMISTRY
P49- METHODS FOR ENHANCING THE SOLUBILITY OF THE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL
CURCUMIN MOLECULE
J. M. Hinaman, A. Smith, J. Hughes, L. M. Mielnicki, M. P. McCourt
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol derivative of turmeric, isolated from the plant Curcuma
Longa. This phytochemical has become of particular interest to researchers due to its antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-infectious effects on the body. Due to its multiple
mechanisms of action, it has been touted as a potential treatment for many disorders, from
inflammation to cancer. The major problems with this molecule however are its poor solubility,
rapid metabolization and scant absorption, all of which contribute to its poor bioavailability.
Curcumin is relatively insoluble in aqueous solution at physiological pH. Its solubility is also
very low in many regularly used solvents. Solubility experiments were therefore performed to
determine the best solvent system and conditions to use for solubilizing curcumin. In addition,
curcumin difluoride (CDF), a curcumin analog with greater bioavailability, was tested in parallel.
Increasing solvent pH resulted in dramatic increases in solubility of both compounds. The
solutions were then tested on MCF-7 breast cancer cells to compare their effects on cell viability.
P51- CHOLESTOSOME-MEDIATED DELIVERY OF INSULIN
M. Hill, J. Fraser, J. Catalano, J. Hughes, M. Bryniarski, Dr. J. Schentag, Dr. L. Mielnicki, Dr.
M. McCourt
Niagara University Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
Insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes affects 29.1 million Americans. The most effective treatment
for type 1 diabetes is subcutaneous (SC) injection of insulin. In addition to being painful to
patients, the SC treatment fails to mimic normal homeostasis of glucose. Oral delivery of insulin
would greatly benefit these patients, making dosing less painful and more efficient. An effective,
orally delivered insulin formulation must traverse the stomach, be delivered into the small
intestine and be taken up and delivered to the circulation by the enterocytes. This laboratory has
developed neutral lipid-based, acid stable vesicles (Cholestosomes) for potential oral delivery of
a variety of therapeutics, including insulin. This study describes preparation of cholestosome
encapsulated human recombinant insulin (CHEhRI), preliminary evidence of in vitro delivery of
CHEhRI into MCF-7 cells and across a Caco-2 intestinal epithelial monolayer, and in vivo
CHEhRI delivery into mice after IV injection and oral gavage. FITC-label was used to monitor
CHEhRI delivery in vitro whereas blood glucose levels and ELISA were used to monitor
CHEhRI delivery in vivo. The data suggest that CHEhRI is efficiently delivered into MCF-7
cells and packaged by Caco-2 cells into chylomicron-like particles with greatly increased
delivery capacity. Preliminary in vivo studies suggest that IV and oral CHEhRI dosed mice have
reduced glucose and measureable serum human recombinant insulin.
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P53- THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHOLESTOSOME-BASED COSMETICS
M. Badolato, Dr. M. McCourt, Dr. L. Mielnicki, J. Hughes
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Cosmetic companies sell the promise of beauty to their customers, but the method in which the
active ingredients of cosmetics get delivered to cells are where the real promise lies.
Cholestosomes are an encapsulation molecule that may have the potential to deliver materials
into dermal cells with significant advantages over the previously studied liposomes.
Cholestosomes may prove to be more effective for delivery of molecules into dermal cells as
they provide better penetration into cells due to their uncharged nature and their neutral surface.
Cholestosomes can encapsulate a wide array of molecules, presumably many of the molcules
utilized in cosmetic formulations. Molecules that cosmetic companies may be interested in
encapsulating are Vitamin C, glyerin, and retinol, as they these molecules have skin enhancing
properties. Vitamin C was suspended in solution and encapsulated by cholestosomes, with the
intention of cholestosomes being an efficient way of delivering Vitamin C to cells. HPLC was
used to analyze preps for ascorbic acid concentration. Given that ascorbic acid has dermal
enhancing properties, ascorbic acid cholestosomes may have the potential to be used in topical
formulations that promise to make skin appear healthier. Cholestosomes may be of great interest
to cosmetic industries if their effects surpass the present delivery methods of cosmetic products.
The cholestosome preparations that we are preparing would be best suited for environmentally
friendly cosmetic companies interested in using organic formulations and without participating
in any animal testing.
P55- FORMULATION OF INSULIN FOR ORAL DOSING
J. Catalano, J. F. McArthur, J. Hughes, L. M. Mielnicki, M. P. McCourt
Niagara University Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
Diabetes is a lasting condition that causes high blood sugar levels that are potentially fatal if left
unmanaged. Type 1diabetes requires treatment with daily insulin hormone injections, while Type
2 diabetes usually requires treatment with insulin as the disease progresses. Injection of insulin is
therefore the main combatant against this disease. Unfortunately a daily intramuscular injection
regimen can be painful and tedious while daily subcutaneous injection, manually or via a pump,
is a less efficient delivery mode. Orally available insulin would be a positive development
against diabetes that would allow patients to avoid the downsides of injection. However orally
dosed insulin has not been developed yet due to insulin’s inabilities to survive both the acidic
environment of the stomach, as well as be absorbed through the intestinal membrane. Other work
from this laboratory describes the development of a neutral lipid based vesicle (the
cholestosome), that uses naturally occurring lipids, for delivery of problematic therapeutics.
Insulin dose is limited by solubility in aqueous buffer. The present study therefore was
undertaken to develop higher dose insulin formulations for cholestosome encapsulation.
Variations in insulin concentration, pH and ionic strength were systematically tested for effects
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on encapsulation efficiency in order to optimize insulin dose. Formulations were encapsulated
and characterized for size, insulin and lipid content.
P57- DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY ANALYSIS OF CHOLESTOSOME
FORMATION
D. McGuigen, E. Peterson, E. Theilmann, E. Williams, J. Hughes, L. Mielnicki, M. McCourt.
Niagara University Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
Cholestosomes are a revolutionary new method of molecule delivery that can be used for a wide
variety of applications, including drug delivery, anti-bacterial compounds, and gene therapy.
These vesicles are unique, being made completely from non-polar cholesteryl esters that can be
absorbed into cells otherwise unreachable by normal drugs. Traditional vesicle formation is
based on sequestration of hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. The theory of cholestosome
formation is based on models developed from the co-solubility of cholesteryl esters at different
mole fractions. The thermodynamics of their formation into vesicles involves packing in a
minimum energy conformation. Cholestosomes were initially developed using a 1:1 mole
fraction of cholesteryl myristate and cholesteryl laurate based on phase diagrams derived from
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) thermodynamic measurements. The DSC results give
a melt temperature that corresponds to a minimum energy conformation. Molecular modelling
suggests a vesicle with a packing that leaves most of the vesicle as empty space for loading
drugs. Current cholestosome formulations use esters with only 2 CH2 unit difference for
packing. This study explored phase diagram formation from the DSC measurements of several
different pairs of cholesteryl esters including those containing stearate/laurate, valerate/butyrate,
pentadecanoate/undecanoate, nonanoate/pentadecanoate, stearate/myristate. Appropriate
minimum energy mole fraction combinations were used to prepare cholestosomes. Physicochemical analysis was performed on the resulting preparations
P59- STATISTICAL DESIGN FOR FORMULATION OPTIMIZATION OF
METHOTREXATE MICELLES AS PHARMACEUTICAL NANOCARRIERS FOR TUMOR
TARGETING
D. Daniels1, S. Stevens1, S. Sani1*
1
Western New England University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical &
Administrative Sciences, Springfield, MA, 01519
The aim of this investigation is to develop and optimize a novel nanocarrier system loaded with
the anticancer drug methotrexate with an optimized encapsulation efficiency, particle size, zeta
potential, drug loading, and encapsulation efficiency to potentially target solid tumors. The film
hydration method was utilized using various experimental design modules to investigate the
specific effects of experimental conditions during the preparation processes and corresponding
responses in optimizing the formulation. Plackett–Burman design was utilized to prescreen
various formulation and process variables. Micelle formulations were prepared by using various
experimental conditions such as drug: polymer ratios (8.3%, 1% w/w), sonication time before
and after rotary evaporation, hydration time, volume of organic solvents, volume of buffer, etc.
Formulations were characterized by micelle particle size and distribution, polydispersity index,
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zeta potential, drug loading, and encapsulation efficiency. Analysis of variances (ANOVA) test
was conducted to detect the significant response differences in various experimental groups. This
process led to the selection of primary experimental variables for further formulation
optimization with desired encapsulation efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, and drug loading.
It was concluded that PEG2000-DSPE micelles may serve as pharmaceutical nanocarriers with
improved efficacy and reduced side effects.
PSYCHOLOGY
P61- INFANT ATTENTION PATTERNS FOR MOVING AND NON-MOVING STIMULI
S. Remington, L. Romano, D. Fisher-Thompson, Ph.D
Niagara University Department of Psychology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Selective attention patterns were studied to understand how stimulus features (moving or nonmoving) affect goal-directed attention during infancy. Previous research found that when
presented with two visual stimuli at the same time, infants displayed a slight preference to look
longer at novel events than events previously seen. They produced no preferential gaze shifts.
The purpose of the present study was to determine if infants at 4 months of age have the ability
to preferentially shift their attention depending on the familiarity of the stimulus presented and
the number of objects that moved. Five groups of infants were shown movies of rotating
geometric shapes simultaneously on two computer screens. The first group of infants saw
moving shapes paired with a non-moving colored dot. The second group saw moving shapes
paired with a blank screen. Group three saw moving shapes paired with non-moving shapes, and
infants in the fourth group saw the same familiar moving shape paired with a novel moving
shape. The final group was shown two novel moving shapes. Infants were much more likely to
shift their attention in the first and second condition to the moving shapes, while infants in the
third and fourth condition showed stronger biases looking to the left or right regardless of
stimulus content. Preliminary results from 4 of the groups indicate that group five will also show
left and right side biases as indicated by the third and fourth group. Analyses of gaze shift
patterns and look preferences will be presented.
P63- THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILY CLIMATE ON
SELF-INJURY
B.M. Hudson, K.M. Huber, supervised by H. Stephenson, Ph.D.
Ithaca College Department of Psychology
Ithaca, NY 14850
Self-injury is the act of intentionally harming one’s self without suicidal intentions (NSSI). NSSI
is increasingly prevalent among adolescents (Whitlock, Muehlenkamp, Purington, Eckenrode,
Barreira, Abrams, Marchell, Kress, Girard, Chin, & Knox, 2011). Research has found that selfinjury is prevalent across a wide range of individuals in different age groups, demographic
backgrounds and life experiences. Past research has associated NSSI with poor family climate.
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NSSI has been observed more often in individuals with conflictual parental relationships, those
who have experienced abuse and/or neglect and those with divorced and separated parents
(Baetens, Claes, Martin, Onghena, Grietens, Van Leeuwen, Pieters, Wiersema, &
Griffith, 2014). The current study explores relationships between those who report self-injury
and their developmental experiences with abuse and neglect, as well as their relationships with
and between their parents. It was predicted that those who report physical and emotional abuse
and neglect, as well as those who report parental conflict and divorce would be more likely to
engage in self-injury. 725 participants completed a battery of instruments including the
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Parental Marital Satisfaction, the Perceived Social Support
Scale as well as survey items addressing the frequency, habit and age of onset of self-injury. The
results generally supported the relationships predicted, and will contribute to a better
understanding of how family life may predispose individuals to NSSI.
P65- THOUGHT SUPPRESSION AND WORKING MEMORY
A. N. Davis, K. L. Jay, Ph.D.
Marist College Department of Psychology
Marist College, NY 12601
Thought suppression is the process of attempting to remove particular, usually unwanted,
thoughts from consciousness. Previous studies have found a positive correlation between thought
suppression ability and working memory performance. Thought suppression has also been
related to mental illnesses, like anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression can be
considered thinking-disorders because many symptoms manifest themselves in cognition. The
purpose of this study was to further examine the relationship between thought suppression ability
and working memory capacity, and to further investigate the relationship between thought
suppression and high depression and anxiety. Our findings showed no significant correlations
between thought suppression ability and working memory capacity. However, lower thought
suppression ability was strongly correlated to higher levels of anxiety and depression.
P67- EFFECTS OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE PICTURES ON HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR
IN MALE LONG-EVANS RATS
S. C. Whitman
John Carroll University, Neuroscience Program
University Heights, OH 44118
This study examined the correlation between pictures and health, as well as between pictures and
behavior, in Long-Evans male rats. One group (E Pos) was presented with positive-associated
pictures of rats taped to their cages, while another group (E Neg) was provided with negativeassociated pictures, and the control group (C) was given white paper. Daily body weight, food
consumption, water intake, behavior, and defecation/urination during handling data were
collected. At the end of the experiment, glucose concentration, adrenal gland weight, epididymal
fat weight, mesenteric fat abundance, and renal fat weight were evaluated. There were
statistically significant differences between E Pos and E Neg groups for: water consumption,
behavior, defecation/urination, and mesenteric fat. In addition, the E Pos group exhibited more
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positive behavior than the C group. From these results, it appears that positive and negative
pictures have an effect on measured parameters in Long-Evans male rats.
P69- CHANGES IN NON-PROGRAM CONTENT ON CHILDREN’S TELEVISION (19832014)
A. McComb
Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
Ithaca, NY 14850
While there have long been concerns about the content and effects of children’s television, few
studies taken a longitudinal look how the content of children’s television (and thus its potential
impact) has changed over time. The current study involves an expansion of an earlier content
analysis of the non-program content shown during children’s and teen’s shows (Condry, Bence
& Scheibe, 1988) using representative television samples from 1983-2014. Non-program
content -- including product commercials, promotions for TV shows (promos), and public
service announcements (PSAs) -- was analyzed for 260 hours of programming for children and
teens sampled across that 30 year period from ABC, NBC and CBS (1983-2014), Fox, PBS,
Nickelodeon, WB, independent stations (1992-2014), Disney (2010-2014) and the Cartoon
Network (2014). Content was analyzed with respect to the frequency and amount of time
devoted to commercials, promos and PSAs, as well as the types of products advertised and types
of PSAs shown, and how the content varied by year, station, day-part, and program type. The
findings showed an overall increase in frequency of non-program messages over time, as well as
significant differences by station and day-part for type, frequency and amount of time devoted to
non-program messages, as well as significant changes in products advertised to children and
teens (including a recent decrease in advertising for cereals and snacks, and an increase in video
games, clothing and entertainment-oriented drop-ins).
P71- HISTORICAL CHANGES IN NAME-CALLING, PUTDOWNS AND RELATIONAL
AGGRESSION ON TV PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS (1983-2014)
G. Davidoff, E. Levine, E. Hayes
Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
Ithaca, NY 14850
While there have been many studies documenting the nature of physical violence on television
and its impact on young viewers, there have been very few studies of the nature of verbal or
relational aggression in television programs and their potential impact on children and teens.
The current study involves a descriptive content analysis of 527 half-hour TV programs aimed at
children or teens, including situation comedies, teen shows, and four types of children’s shows
(humorous cartoons, action, prosocial, educational) videotaped over a period of 30 years for the
Center for Research on the Effects of Television (CRETV) archive. Each program was analyzed
by 2-3 coders (working together) to identify all portrayals of putdowns (e.g., name-calling,
remarks designed to belittle or humiliate someone) and/or relational aggression (e.g., gossiping,
excluding someone from the social group). There was a high frequency of putdowns across the
entire time period covered (1983-2014), although the incidence of name-calling increased over
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time. The frequency and nature of putdowns varied significantly by station, with the lowest
incidence on PBS and the highest on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney. Putdowns
occurred most frequently on sitcoms and teen shows in all years sampled, and the increase in
putdowns and relational aggression over time largely reflects the dramatic rise in teen shows
(e.g., i-Carly) over the past 15 years, especially on Nickelodeon and Disney. Consequences
following an incident involving putdowns or relational aggression were typically laughter (often
via a laugh track) or no consequence at all.
CELL BIOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY
P73- EXAMINATION OF MULTICOPPER OXIDASES FROM SACCHAROMYCES
CEREVISIAE
J. Roulley, A. Oldacre, A. Laurri, S. Dargout, and C. S. Stoj
Niagara University
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
A significant link has been established between the regulation of iron homeostasis and a class of
metalloenzymes known as multicopper oxidases. This research aims to develop a deeper
understanding of metallobiochemistry through the purification and characterization of the
multicopper oxidases from the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As a family,
multicopper oxidases couple the four electron reduction of molecular oxygen to water with the
oxidation of bulky organic reductants or metal ions. Multicopper oxidases FET3 and FET5 are
directly involved in the oxidation of iron(II) and thereby the movement of iron at the yeast
plasma membrane and vacuole, respectively. We are currently creating and investigating
modified expression vectors containing inactive forms of FET3 fused to FET5 allowed for the
successful secretion of functional Fet3-Fet5 fusion protein. Attempts to separate the fusion and
obtain purified Fet5p are underway as well as kinetic characterization of the intact chimera.
P75- SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS (SNPs) IN THE HUMAN IL10
PROMOTER AFFECT GENE EXPRESSION IN MACROPHAGES
A. F. Viniotis, A. Leibold, P. Shah, D. Dabitao, J. H. Bream
Wagner University and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore, MD 21205
One of the greatest challenges in the post-genomic era is to interpret the functional consequences
of human genetic variation on disease outcomes. Genetic variation, such as single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs), are common, occurring ~ every 500-1000bp. It has long been
recognized that some SNPs are associated with susceptibility to disease. Although the number of
SNPs associated with complex disease continues to rise, there are few tools available to
determine that these SNPs functionally contribute to disease or are merely disease markers. To
move beyond disease association studies, the Bream Lab established a mouse model to directly
test the effects of human genetic variation on gene expression and disease susceptibility, using
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the anti-inflammatory gene IL10 as a proof-of-concept. They found that 2 common human IL10
promoter SNP alleles, previously associated with disease, encode for high or low IL-10
expression in CD4+ T cells (Helper T cells). Importantly, allele-specific hIL-10 production in T
lymphocytes leads to differential susceptibility to Leishmania donovani infection. For this
project, we sought to determine if these IL10 alleles also control differential induction of IL-10
in macrophages. Stimulation of bone marrow derived macrophages (BMM) with LPS (a TLR4
agonist) but not Pam3CSK4 (a TLR1/2 agonist) resulted in allele-specific human IL-10
expression. These data suggest that human IL10 promoter SNPs operate in a cell type- and
receptor-specific manner to fine-tune IL-10 levels to control inflammation.
P77- EXPRESSION OF MUTANT IDH IN DROSOPHILIA AND CELL LINES FOR
METABOLIC STUDY
I. J.N. Fabiano ,cM.Magmer ,M. O’Connor ,M.C. Ouellette, M. Tipping
Providence College Department of Biology
Providence, RI 02918
Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), an important metabolic enzyme, is associated with the
tumorigenesis of human glial cells. As little is known about the mechanism by which IDH
induces this disease phenotype, establishing a model in Drosophila will provide insight into the
changes in metabolism and cell signaling resulting from IDH mutations. An efficient and specific
method will be employed to create a fly that expresses a tagged version of mutant IDH under the
control of its endogenous promoter. CRISPR or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic
repeats, is a genome editing system that utilizes the RNA nuclease Cas9 to insert a construct of
the mutated IDH gene tagged with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) into the Drosophila
genome. Transgenic Drosophila cell culture lines will also be established using standard
molecular cloning techniques. These GFP-IDH transgenic flies and cells will be utilized for
future localization and protein interaction studies. The results of this work will help identify
potential targets for therapeutic treatment of IDH induced glial cell tumors.
P79- THE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF AGING
D. Caugh, P. Moresco, D. Peña, PhD, G. Walters
Mount Saint Mary College Department of Natural Sciences
Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh NY 12550
Cellular aging is defined as the accumulation of damage within an organism (1). This damage is
believed to be caused by reactive oxidative species (ROS). The naturally occurring antioxidant
resveratrol (RSV), has been shown to mediate the levels of these ROS through the modulation of
certain ROS-detoxifying enzymes (2). In this study we attempt to determine if RSV upregulates
the transcription factor, FOXO1, in three different cell lines: MCF7, L6, and HeLa. The
upregulation was also studied in Caenorhabditis elegans. The forkhead box O1 or, FOXO1
transcription factor transactivates certain ROS-detoxifying genes encoding enzymes such as
superoxide dismutase 2 and catalase (2). Resveratrol controls the level of FOXO1 activity by
serving as a coactivator for the deacetylase SIRT1. Once activated SIRT1 deacetylates FOXO1,
increasing FOXO1’s affinity for the ROS-detoxifying genes that it regulates (2). By eliminating
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the presence of the excess ROS with the treatment of RSV, we believe we can extend the
longevity of the organism.
The study with the three cell lines: MCF7, L6, and HeLa, showed that when treated with RSV,
FOXO1 was upregulated. The results were obtained by comparing the qPCR results of the
control groups to the experimental groups. The results of the Caenorhabditis elegans study were
found inconclusive due to uncontrolled variables.
P81- INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF THE YEAST METACASPASE, YCA1P, IN THE
PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH OF ANEUPLOID CELLS OF THE BUDDING YEAST,
SACCAHROMYCES CEREVISIAE
M.T. Sanborn, S. Rogers, R. Frazier, S. Pinches, and N. Austriaco, OP
Department of Biology, Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island
Aneuploidy is the genetic state of a cell that has a chromosomal number that is not an exact
multiple of the haploid complement. It is a leading cause of spontaneous abortions and of mental
retardation in humans, and is a characteristic defect in cancer. Yeast cells that are aneuploidy
manifest a diversity of phenotypes including cell cycle defects, genomic instability, protein
imbalance, chaperone stress and proteotoxicity. We are investigating the links between
aneuploidy on the yeast S. cerevisiae and programmed cell death. We are generating aneuploid
yeast cells that either lack the yeast metacaspase, Yca1p, or contain a GFP-tagged Yca1p, and
are characterizing the behavior of these cells in response to apoptotic-stimuli. [Our laboratory is
supported by grant NIGMS R15 GM110578, awarded to N. Austriaco.]
P83- MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF
HUMAN CYSTATIN C IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
J.R. Persichetti and A.K. Sharma
Wagner College, Department of Chemistry and Physics
Wagner College, NY 10301
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal degeneration as well as the presence of
neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques. Despite the recent popularity in AD research, there
is no known effective therapeutic treatment for the disease. One of the characteristics of AD is
the formation of Amyloid plaques, of which Amyloid- β (Aβ) is a major component. The role of
Human Cystatin C (HCC) in the advancement of AD has yet to be determined as agonistic or
antagonistic. In order to better understand the interaction between Aβ and HCC, we have used
computational methods to quantify the stability of the protein complex. Initial docking between
these proteins has been obtained using the Z-DOCK server. We have run fully atomistic
molecular dynamics simulations at physiological pH and temperature for the best docking poses.
The simulation, run through the YASARA software package, identifies the binding region of the
complex as well as the molecular pathway taken by the ligand. Our analysis uses hydrogen
bonds, root square mean deviation and fluctuation of each protein, and binding energy of the
complex to establish stability of the complex. This investigation will lead to a better
understanding of the docking and stability of HCC to Amyloid-β. This can be immensely useful
54
in understanding the role of HCC in the aggregation or reduction of Aβ plaques in Alzheimer’s
patients. Ultimately, this knowledge can provide vital clues to a cure for the disease.
P85- SERUM ANTIBODY RESPONSES IN BALB-C MICE FOLLOWING MULTIPLE
EXPOSURES OF OXYVITA BLOOD SUBSTITUTE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A LACK
OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION
D. M. Rodriguez, H. M. Mulhall
Mount Saint Mary College Department of Natural Sciences
Newburgh, NY 12550
OxyVita is a polymerized stroma-free bovine hemoglobin blood substitute developed by
OXYVITA Inc. Blood substitutes have the potential to revolutionize the way blood transfusions
are conducted, however, safety concerns exist due to the unknown immunogenicity of these
foreign molecules. Our study examines the serum immune response and body weight
maintenance of BALB/c mice during multiple exposures of OxyVita. Mice were injected
intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.5mL of OxyVita in saline (60µg/mL) or saline alone, every three
weeks for 9 weeks. After each injection a blood sample was collected from each of the mice.
Serum antibodies recognizing plate-bound OxyVita were measured via indirect ELISA. Three of
four mice produced a robust antibody response following initial exposure. Each subsequent
exposure resulted in incrementally higher antibody titers suggesting a memory recall response to
the OxyVita molecule with all four mice responding following the second exposure. Preliminary
observations suggest a lack of systemic inflammation in exposed animals with undetectable
levels of circulating TNFα in blood serum. None of the mice displayed physical evidence of
distress during the course of the experiment indicating a lack of pathology associated with i.p.
exposure.
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POSTER PRESENTATIONS (Even numbered)
MICROBIOLOGY
P2- THE EFFECT OF MARINADES ON SALMONELLA TYPHI ON RAW CHICKEN
A. Dorfman
Wagner College Department of Microbiology
Staten Island, NY 10301
Salmonella is one of the most recognized species of bacterium known in a household. The most
acknowledged presence of the species is found in packages of raw chicken found at your local
butcher, market and even in contamination of water. The research interest in the bacteria is to
explain the effect of marinade on Salmonella typhi concentrations on raw chicken. In this
research study different marinades were tested and analyzed to discover if each edible condiment
causes a distinct effect on the Salmonella typhi colony count and cell death. The results obtained
in this experiment are inconclusive.
P4- ISOLATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE FOR LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES
B. M. Hart, A. Gonzalez, K. A. Bobbitt, C. P. Corbo
Wagner College, Department of Biological Sciences
Staten Island, New York 10301
Listeria monocytogenes is a facultative, motile diphtheroid gram-positive organism. L.
monocytogenes is the cause of listeriosis, which results from consumption of contaminated
meats, vegetables, fish, poultry, and dairy products. The lethality of L. monocytogenes poses
threat in the immunocompromised, young, elderly, and pregnant populations. Bacteriophages are
a group of viruses which use bacterial cells as their host. They are highly specific; only infecting
one or certain types of bacteria. Bacteriophages ultimately lead to the destruction of the bacterial
cell it infects. Being that Listeria is commonly isolated from soil and water samples we
hypothesized that bacteriophage are present in raw sewage. Listeria is believed to be present
from runoff and waste in sewage and therefore this is why we selected this source to obtain
phage isolates. Sewage samples were added to nutrient broth and incubated overnight and then
incubated in the presence of a 48 hour L. monocytogenes culture. Phage elution buffer was used
to extract the phage from the bacterial cells. Phage were diluted out using water blanks. Lysate
was serially diluted and enriched in brain heart infusion agar and plated on soft top agar. Plaques
were identified and counted. The isolated phage were analyzed using electron microscopy (EM).
EM identified tailless phage which we are currently in the process of the phage identification.
This research is important because it investigates new potential ways to prevent food from being
contaminated by Listeria.
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P6- EFFECTS OF ANTHELMINTHIC TREATMENTS ON THE MICROBIOME OF THE
HORSE
M. F. Zulch, J. B. Williams, Ph.D.
Elms College Department of Biology
Chicopee, MA 01013
Within the gut of horses and all mammals is an ecosystem of bacteria, archaea, and fungi living
as a community known as the microbiome. Many of these microbes play important roles to
maintain the health of the creatures that they inhabit. Like all ecosystems, the microbiome is
sensitive to changes that might result in fluctuations of biodiversity. When these changes occur,
the host organism may be positively or negatively affected. Such fluctuations can be observed
when a horse is treated by an antihelminthic drug for an infection by a parasitic nematode called
cyathostomes (small strongyles). We expect by studying the microbiome over time and in
response to worm infection followed by worm eradication by anthelminthics, that we will see the
response of the microbiome. Our study group consists of an infected and treated horse compared
with two other horses which were un-infected and untreated. DNA was isolated from stool
samples. Purified DNA from fecal samples was then processed to form a library that could then
be sequenced using Next Generation Sequencing. Resulting data was used to produce models
that represent microbial diversity under these conditions and in this study group.
P8- INFLUENCE OF CARBON SOURCE ON KOMBUCHA ANTIMICROBIAL
PROPERTIES
G. Gansworth, A. Goodsell, M. Koroschetz, H. Nimjareansuk, M. Gallo Ph.D
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Kombucha tea is a traditionally fermented beverage inoculated with a symbiotic culture of
bacteria and yeast fermentation (scoby). Several of the bacteria found in kombucha culture
contain microorganisms that produce acetic acid. Past studies have suggested that the bacteria
found in the scoby that produce acetic acid also produce compounds that have antimicrobial
properties. In this study, various sugars were used as a carbon and energy source to see if it has
an effect on secondary metabolite production and influences the antimicrobial properties of the
fermentation liquid. The fermentation of kombucha was done with black tea and were fed a
single type of carbon source: sucrose, glucose, lactose, maltose, xylitol, or starch. Each
kombucha tea was then tested on E. coli in order to determine its ability to inhibit the microbial
growth. The scoby composition present in each kombucha tea culture was observed
microscopically along with the determination of the mass of the physical scoby. The physical
attributes such as color and consistency of each kombucha tea and its scoby were observed to be
different depending on the carbon source as well.
57
P10- KOMBUCHA TEA AND THE PRODUCTION OF ASCORBIC ACID
S. Harack, A. Ta, J. Pietrantonio, E. Castellani, M. Gallo, PhD
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Kombucha tea is a fermented beverage consisting of a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria.
The main bacterial component is acetic acid bacteria of the family Acetobacteraceae, genus
Gluconacetobacter and family xylinum and a commonly used yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
A testimony of users have reported Kombucha tea to have both prophylactic and therapeutic
benefits in a variety of different ailments ranging from intestinal disorders to cancers. However,
to date, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. This investigation seeks to
improve the nutritional value of Kombucha tea. During fermentation, ethanol, gluconic and
glucuronic acid are produced as by-products. In addition, L-lactic acid, amino acids, hydrolytic
enzymes and water soluble vitamins including an average production of 0.6 mg per 100 ml of
vitamin C in a 7 day fermentation period are produced. In the last step of synthetic vitamin C
biosynthesis, L-gluonolactone oxidase isolated from Corynebacterium glutamicum converts Lglucono-1,4-lactone to L-xylo-hex-3-gluconolactone ( 2-keto glucono-gamma-lactone) which is
then able to convert into ascorbic acid spontaneously. With the addition of Corynebacterium
glutamicum, the production of ascorbic acid should increase and provide a nutritional benefit to
the popular fermented beverage, Kombucha tea. This study will investigate vitamin C levels in
such cultures.
P12- PLASMID CHARACTERIZATION IN STAPHYLOCOCCI ISOLATED FROM WHITE
TAIL DEER
B. V. Marrara, A. R. Pietrantonio, M. A. Gallo Ph.D.
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Staphylococcus, a well-characterized gram-positive bacteria, can be found in a multitude of
environments including on skin, hair, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. These bacteria are
found on many warm-blooded animals, including white tail deer, Odocoileus virginianus.
Staphylococcus has a diverse genetic composition, and many species, sub-species and strains
have been identified. The differences in the phenotype of the bacteria can be attributed to
genome composition. Knowing that this bacteria can act as an infectious agent causing a widenumber of diseases and illnesses such as MRSA, it is intriguing to ask questions regarding the
location of the genes responsible for its pathogenicity and virulence. By collecting samples from
local deer, unique strains of Staphylococcus were obtained and used for comparison of antibiotic
resistance mechanisms typically found to be located extra-chromosomally on plasmids. To
address this idea, plasmid isolation and characterization, as well as PCR were performed as
initial steps in the characterization of the genes present within the isolated plasmids.
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ECOLOGY
P14- INVESTIGATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN
BIVALVES (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA) FROM ORCHARD BEACH, NEW YORK
S. Kowalyk, J.A. Reid, M.A. Presta, F. Tei, and G. Mayer*
Manhattan College Department of Biology
Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, 10471
Bivalves, such as Crassostrea virginica, the Atlantic oyster, are excellent bio-indicators of
marine environments. By filter feeding, these organisms often ingest various pollutants and
parasites, providing an overall picture of the health of a marine habitat. Toxoplasma gondii is a
common parasite of terrestrial animals, including humans where it can cause severe disease in
immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women. Surprisingly, T. gondii has been found
recently in many marine organisms. Oysters are of economic importance as a food item and is
often consumed raw. The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in
Crassostrea virginica. As part of a larger study investigating protozoan parasites in bivalves, ten
oyster samples were collected from Orchard Beach in New York on September 9, 2014 during
low tide. The digestive gland, abductor muscle, siphon, foot, and mantle were harvested from
the oysters and dissected prior to DNA isolation. To determine whether the collected samples
were infected with T. gondii, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using primers
that amplify the GRA6 gene of T. gondii. We found that none of the tested samples, 0/10, tested
positive for T. gondii.
P16- DEEP UNDER THE BLUE SEA: EXPLORING BIVALVES AS BIO- SENTINEL FOR
TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN MYA ARENARIA
J.A. Reid, F. Tei, M.A. Presta, S. Kowalyk, and G. Mayer*
Department of Biology
Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, 10471
Bivalve mollusks are excellent filter feeders for maintaining the ecosystem. Toxoplasma gondii
is an intracellular parasite that can infect a large number of hosts including humans where it
causes the disease toxoplasmosis. Recent work has demonstrated the presence of T. gondii in
several marine organisms, including whales and mussels. This suggest that bivalves could be
useful as bio-sentinels for T. gondii and other human intestinal parasites. This research sets out to
determine whether bivalves collected from the New York City area could serve as hosts for
human parasites, particularly, T. gondii. On September 9th 2014, 4 species of bivalves were
collected from Orchard Beach, NY, during low tide. The species collected were Mya arenaria
(8), Crassostrea virginica (10), Geukensia demissa (44), and Mytulis edulis (94). This study
focuses on determining the presence of T. gondii in tissues of Mya arenaria. Several tissues,
including the gills, siphon, the foot, the mantle, and the digestive glands were dissected from
each individual and frozen at -80 oC. Following DNA extraction from each tissue, T. gondii
DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers that target the GRA6
gene, a dense granule marker. We found that 29 tissues from 8 individual Mya arenaria tested
negative for T. gondii, indicating no exposure of these mollusks to T. gondii.
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P18- PLASTIC MICRODEBRIS IN THE GREAT LAKES
M. Hare, Dr. W. J. Edwards
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Over the past decade, microplastic pollution has become a growing concern due to their presence
in every day personal care products that have replaced the natural exfoliants found in facial
cleansers. Ten samples were collected from the Great Lakes of North America during Pangaea
Exploration's One Water story, on the 72' sailboat Sea Dragon. Samples were collected using a
333-µm mesh manta trawl, and analyzed for plastic debris. During analysis, any plastic found
was removed and collected to determine the microplastics concentration. Plastics were dried and
enumerated using microscopy. Microplastic debris was found in every sample. The highest
samples contained 181 particles, corresponding to a density of 326,000-particles/ sq. km. Many
microplastics that were found were pellets- hard, rounded, plastic particles, suspected to be from
consumer's personal care products.
P20- EFFECTS OF OLFACTORY STIMULATION ON CAPTIVE AMUR LEOPARDS
M. L. Papaioannou, M. Valitutto, B.G. Palestis, C.P. Corbo
Wagner College, Department of Biological Sciences
Wagner College, Staten Island, NY 10301
Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis) are a critically endangered species that is native to
southeastern Russia and northeastern China. Species which are critically endangered are often
housed by zoological facilities world –wide to enhance public awareness and continue captive
breeding programs to ensure the survival of this species. In order for zoo animals to be properly
stimulated on a daily basis, research into proper animal enrichment is necessary. This study was
conducted on two captive male Amur leopards located at the Staten Island Zoo. These
individuals were exposed to three different scents in order provide environmental enrichment and
to observe their activity and behavioral diversity. The scents used to determine Amur leopard
behavior were nutmeg oil, scent of a prey-klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) feces, female
Amur leopard urine, and a scent of a predator- cougar (Puma concolor) urine. Each scent was
freshly sprayed on a cardboard box for three consecutive days within four consecutive weeks.
Overall, the scents provided in this study resulted in an increase in behavioral diversity. Among
the four scents, the leopards were most interested in the nutmeg and female Amur leopard urine
followed by the klipspringer feces and cougar urine. Introducing novel scents into the leopard’s
environment essentially increased the spatial use in their exhibit along with physiological and
mental stimulation.
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P22- THE EFFECT OF SALINITY LEVELS ON ACTIVITY AND RESPIRATION OF THE
MUMMICHOG FUNDULUS HETEROCLITUS
C.M. Carpenter, D. Stearns
Wagner College Department of Biological Sciences
Staten Island, NY 10301
This research tested for salinity effects on the activity and respiration levels of Fundulus
heteroclitus. The test organisms were acclimated at room temperature (~ 24°C) for
approximately four weeks, to three different salinities: < 1.0 ppt (near freshwater), 21 ppt
(estuarine), 31 ppt (near oceanic). Fish activity was recorded as number of grid lines crossed per
minute per videotaped fish (n = 25-27 fish), each averaged from three separate counts. For
respiration, each test organism (n = 25 fish) was placed inside an air-tight, 250 ml container of
test water at room temperature (~ 24°C). Initial dissolved oxygen was recorded, and respiration
level was quantified as the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed per gram of fish (ppm O2 g-1)
during each 10-minute test period. Analysis of variance showed that fish acclimated to 31 ppt
had significantly (p < 0.001) higher activity levels compared with the other two salinity
treatments. Fish acclimated to near-freshwater and estuarine salinities trended (p < 0.067)
towards higher gram-specific respiration rates compared with fish acclimated to near-oceanic
salinities. These results suggest that, like many estuarine species, the mummichog appears to
require more energy for osmoregulation in estuarine waters than in more oceanic waters, with
subsequently less energy available for active swimming.
P24- THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ALCOHOL CONCENTRATIONS ON ZEBRAFISH
(DANIO RERIO) SPECIES RECOGNITION
M. M. Mussa
Wagner College Department of Biology
Wagner College, Staten Island, NY 10301
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a model organism that has been utilized for many scientific
experiments in many different areas of biology. Species recognition occurs when members of the
same species can identify one another and has many benefits for social, reproductive, and
antipredator behavior. There have been many experiments conducted on the effect of ethanol
(EtOH) on zebrafish, which has allowed us to better understand the behavioral and physiological
effects of alcohol. The purpose of this experiment is to determine if different low levels of
ethanol can impair the zebrafish’s ability to recognize members of the same species. Five
concentrations of EtOH water were used in this experiment: 0.00% (control), 0.125%, 0.25%,
0.5%, and 1%. The zebrafish were tested based on how long they spent near another zebrafish or
near a member of a similarly sized species, the neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi). Statistically
significant preference for the same species was observed in the control group and with the fish in
the 0.125% EtOH levels. With the 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% treatments, the fish did not discriminate
among species and spent significantly less time near the zebrafish than in the control and 0.125%
treatment. The results of this experiment show that higher levels of EtOH disrupt species
recognition in zebrafish.
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P26- AN EMERGING THREAT TO AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS: BIOACCUMULATION OF
SILVER NANOPARTICLES IN SPHAGNUM MAGELLANICUM
O. Perez, R.A. Brase, C.T. Ferreri, M.J. Porter, C. Echmalian, R. Dufek, J. Czarnecki, Z.E.
Gagnon*, L.A. Wojciechowicz*
Marist College, School of Science, Department of Environmental Science
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Nanoparticles (NPs) have always been a part of natural ecosystems, however, their presence has
increased dramatically because of their application in modern technology. The purpose of this
study was to examine the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on growth and possible
bioaccumulation using Sphagnum magellanicum as a model. Sphagnum samples were collected
from the Nature Sanctuary in Rhinebeck, NY, USA. The experiment was conducted for 21 days.
The following experimental treatments were established by enriching Rudolph’s nutrient media
with different concentrations of a colloidal AgNPs solution: 5, 10, 25, and 50 ppm. Since there is
evidence that colloidal AgNPs can deaggregate, additional controls were established using
parental components of NaBH4 and AgNO3. Because Rudolph’s media and the parental
components contained nitrates, a NaNO3 control was established. Light microscopy and
histological analyses showed black precipitates of Ag in the cell walls of the tissue. There was a
statistically significant decrease in growth in the AgNO3, NaBH4, and AgNP treatments. A
significant decrease of chlorophyll content, in these treatments were also recorded. The effect of
Ag compounds on sphagnum growth raises concern regarding the possible bioaccumulation of
nanomaterials in plants and ecosystems.
P28- THE CHEMISTRY AND TRANSPORT OF NANOMATERIALS USING SPHAGNUM
MAGELLANICUM AS AN INDICATOR
R.A. Brase1, O. Perez1, S. Brittle2, A. Paluri2, L.A. Wojciechowicz1*, I.P. Sizemore2*, Z.E.
Gagnon1*
Marist College, School of Science, Department of Chemistry1 Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601
Wright State University, Department of Chemistry2 Dayton, OH 45435
Modern day advances in science have given rise to nanomaterials. These materials are found in
many commercial products; however, there is insufficient data to determine whether or not these
nanomaterials pose a threat to environmental and human health. The most common type of
nanomaterial are silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The purpose of this study was to observe the
impact of AgNP exposure on sphagnum moss. In this study, sphagnum was exposed to Creighton
AgNPs (~11 nm in average diameter) in order to investigate their toxicity. The colloidal AgNPs
were synthesized through the reduction of 1mM Ag+ in AgNO3 with 2mM NaBH4. The resulting
AgNPs were concentrated, purified, and size-selected by tangential flow filtration. Sphagnum
samples were collected from the Nature Sanctuary in Rhinebeck, NY, USA. To determine the
effect of AgNP bioaccumulation, plants were exposed to various doses of AgNPs (5, 10, 25, and
50 ppm). Controls included NaBH4, AgNO3, and NaNO3 in concentrations equivalent to the ones
used in the AgNP synthesis. The experiment was conducted for 21 days using a Lab-LineTM
Growth Chamber. ICP-OES analysis showed that Ag bioaccumulated in a dose-dependent
62
manner in the AgNO3 treatments (14.3% Ag accumulation) and the AgNP treatments (8.5% Ag
accumulation). GC and XRF analyses identified Ag accumulation in both the AgNO3 and AgNP
treatments. These observations of bioaccumulation in plant tissues raise concern about the
potential threats of AgNP and Ag+ accumulation in the natural environment from commercial
products.
P30- EFFECT OF INTER-ANNUAL FLUCTUATIONS IN BREEDING POPULATION SIZE
ON GENETIC ESTIMATES OF POPULATION VIABILITY
E. R. Empson, T. A. McKnight, J. L. Richardson
Providence College Department of Biology
Providence, RI 02918
The long-term persistence of wildlife populations depends on both population size and genetic
viability. However, few studies have integrated data on long-term population trends and genetic
diversity in order to predict population viability through time. In this study, we directly
compared estimates of long-term population census trends with rapid genetic estimates of
effective population size in wood frog populations. The wood frog life cycle and breeding
phenology provide an ideal system to explore the predictive utility of genetic estimates of
population size. Genetic estimates were obtained through genotyping and comparison of fifteen
molecular markers, coupled with census data. Specifically, we tested how strongly these rapid
genetic estimates of effective population size were affected by annual fluctuations in breeding
population size. Understanding how the inter-annual variation in population size impacts genetic
estimates of population size is critical in order to validate the utility of these rapid assessments of
population viability. If effective population size is sensitive to fluctuations in breeding animals
from year to year, it suggests that this approach, although rapid, may have limited utility for
swift conservation assessments. If, however, estimates of effective population size are robust to
inter-annual variation, this bodes well for applications of this technique to pressing conservation
needs for rapid population viability assessments. Considering that conservation management
often requires timely information on imperiled populations, efficiencies gained during the
assessment phase can provide an important advantage for amphibians and other taxa.
CHEMISTRY
P32- THE EFFECT OF pH AND POLYMERS ON THE SURFACE TENSION OF WATER
B. N. Dickhaus, R. Priefer
Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences.
Western New England University, College of Pharmacy, MA 01119
In an attempt to develop a new methodology for determining the pKa of polyelectrolytes when
dissolved in aqueous media, we have begun to explore surface tension. In principle as the charge
on a polymer changes with solution pH, the interactions with water molecules as well as
intramolecular attractions are altered. Hence, polyelectrolytes can behave as either a “detergentlike” or a “salt-like” molecule depending on the solution pH. This would therefore effect the
surface tension of the water media. We have been able to demonstrate that indeed there is an
63
alteration in surface tension as the pH of the solution changes. We are working on utilizing this
to ultimately obtain the pKa of a range of dissolved polymers.
P34- THE EFFECT OF PSEUDO POLYELECTROLYTE COATINGS ON MAMMALIAN
CELL CULTURE
C. R. Harper, R. Priefer, S. Kinney
Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences.
Western New England University, College of Pharmacy, MA 01119
Layer-by-layer multilayering of polyelectrolytes is a technique that allows for modification of
surfaces. Polyelectrolyte multilayers have been examined for use in electronically conductive
polymers, membrane filtration, light-emitting diodes, antimicrobial coatings, anticorrosion
coatings, and small molecule delivery vehicles. Typical a surface is alternately introduced to two
oppositely charged polymer solutions until the desired number of layers has been reached. These
polyelectrolytes are divided into polyanions and polycations, with each being sub-divided into
strong, weak, and pseudo. Since the pseudo polyelectrolytes are the newest member to enter the
realm of multilayering, we wished to examine their ability to affect the growth of a normal
(Human Embryonic Kidney-HEK-293) and ovarian cancer (HeLa) cell line. We thus explored
the pseudo polyelectrolytes, poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVPh), multilayered with the polycations:
poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)
(PDADMAC). We coated 96 well cell culture plates with the pseudo polyelectrolytes, either in
single or alternating double layers (e.g. polycation followed by PVPh). We then quantified the
live/attached cells after 24 or 48 hours using a colorimetric tetrazolium compound (3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt;
MTS) based assay. We observe a clear decrease in live cells with PAH-PVPh and PDADMACPVPH coated wells, indicating that the pseudo polyelectrolyte has a definite effect on growth of
the cell. Normal cells are much more sensitive than cancer cells to the coating and it appears that
adding a third (PAH-PVPh-PAH, PDADMAC-PVPh-PDADMAC) or fourth layer (PAH-PVPhPAH-PVPh, PDADMAC-PVPh-PDADMAC-PVPh) diminishes the observed affect. Next we
will examine whether altering the pH of the chemical solutions affects the cells differently.
P36- SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL AMIDE TETHERED
POLYMERS
A. E. Mateo,a P. N. Grenga,b M. J. Nethercott,c T. R. Hoare,d D. P. Weliky,c R. Priefera,b
a
College of Pharmacy, Western New England University, Springfield, MA 01119
b
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics, Niagara University, NY 14109
c
Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
d
Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7
Using post-polymerization modification of polyallylamine hydrochloride allowed for the
synthesis of a library of amide linked polymers with tethered aliphatic, aromatic, and cubyl
moieties. The amount of linkage was determined by Elemental Analysis and ranged between 12 98% amidation, owing to electronics, sterics, and solubility. TGA and DSC analysis was also
conducted on the polymers to assess their thermal stable. None of the new polymers displayed a
64
o
classic melt/freeze profile and all displayed onset of decomposed at temperature below 215 C.
Finally, 13C solid state NMR was conducted on the polymers to further validate their structural
assignment.
P38- SYNTHESIS OF CONSTRAINED EPIBATIDINE ANALOGS
B. M. Puniello, S. W. Goldstein, S. R. Slauson
University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy
University of Saint Joseph, CT 06117
Over 42 million Americans smoke cigarettes. Nicotine addiction is a serious condition that has
severe negative impacts on one’s health. Currently, tobacco use accounts for more than 5 million
deaths per year. Nicotine addiction occurs when the nicotine molecule binds with strong affinity
to nicotine receptors in the brain, primarily the α4β2 nicotinic receptor. The binding of nicotine
to its receptor releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes addiction and therefore abuse
of nicotine. Dopamine mediates positive, pleasing feelings and enhances mood which explains
nicotine’s addictive nature. Varenicline is a drug currently used to aide in smoking cessation by
acting as a partial agonist at the α4β2 subtype.
Epibatidine is a very potent α4β2 agonist that is isolated from the skin of poison dart frogs.
Epibatidine has 20X more affinity for the α4β2 receptor than nicotine but it is not selective for
only the α4β2 receptor. In addition to not being selective, epibatidine also has a very narrow
therapeutic window, meaning that there is a fine line between the desired effect and death.
Current syntheses of epibatidine do not allow for changes and variability to the core
scaffold. Synthesizing epibatidine through a Diels-Alder approach could allow for more
variability and then for the addition of functional groups which would alter the selectivity. This
research has the ultimate goal of synthesizing new and more effective nicotine agonist
compounds that could potentially aide in smoking cessation.
P40- DEVELOPING A SYNTHETIC ROUTE TO CARAMBOXIN, A RARE BIOACTIVE
NON-PEPTIDIC AMINO ACID
C. Fritschi, A. Pascucci, L. Sanchez
Niagara University Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
While safe for everyone else, ingestion of Averrhoa carambola, more commonly known as star
fruit, can be harmful to chronic kidney disease patients; symptoms such as vomiting, mental
confusion, and seizures and even deaths have been reported. Caramboxin has been recently
identified as the active compound responsible for these effects and its molecular structure has
been determined to be an amino acid-like moiety resembling phenylalanine.
Our interest in caramboxin lies on its orsellinic acid-like aromatic ring, a feature present in a
number of medically relevant natural products. These compounds and their analogues are
currently being investigated for the treatment of malaria, menopause symptoms, and various
forms of cancer. We envision that caramboxin, as an amino acid, has the potential to be
incorporated in peptide-like compounds for the development of novel drugs. With this in mind,
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synthetic access to large quantities of this rare active amino acid for biological studies is highly
desirable.
Given that the chirality of caramboxin has not been determined, the present project aims at its
first total synthesis for structural confirmation. Furthermore, our synthetic route, which begins
with aspartic acid, may provide a glimpse at how this molecule is produced in nature by
Averrhoa carambola.
P42- REACTION OPTIMIZATION FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL VINYLGLYCINE
DERIVATIVES
E. York, S. Isa, L. Sanchez
Niagara University Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
The unusual amino acid vinylglycine and a number of related compounds have been studied
throughout the years for their involvement in certain biological processes and special reactivity.
Given the presence of an alkene moiety, the structure of vinylglycine could be manipulated
through a variety of chemical reactions, leading to larger and more valuable amino acid-like
structures. Exploiting late-stage transformations on vinylglycine-containing peptide-like
molecules could be of great use in the medicinal field.
Synthesis of beta, gamma-unsaturated amino acids in a laboratory setting has been a challenge
due to tendency to isomerization and decomposition, but techniques in assembling them have
improved as advances in the field of organic chemistry developed. While the preparation of
vinylglycine has been extensively investigated, production of significant quantities is still
problematical and its commercial availability as a single enantiomer is extremely limited. The
present project aims at revealing reliable approaches toward the synthesis and derivatization of
this important structure, utilizing modern experimental methods for reaction optimization.
P44- CYCLIC L-TRYPTOPHAN-BASED BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF
MEDICALLY RELEVANT COMPLEX MOLECULES
J. Cubello, S. Scharmach, L. Sanchez
Niagara University Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
A large number of natural products of current biomedical significance contain structural units
based on amino acids. These units typically exhibit molecular modifications not observed in
common peptides, such as halogenations, oxidations, or unusual linkages, which have an impact
on their biological activities. Using amino acids as the starting point—a surprisingly uncommon
approach—could result in the development of affordable synthetic routes toward these valuable
compounds. Many bioactive molecules based on L-tryptophan contain an oxidized form of this
molecule. The main goal of our project is to utilize L-tryptophan, a widely available and
inexpensive material, as a starting point and to unnaturally recreate the types of transformations
that tryptophan-based units undergo in biosynthetic pathways. By combining methods involving
cyclized tryptophan units and taking advantage of cyclic stereocontrol, we aim to manipulate its
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structure in order to produce complex building blocks that resemble the expensive, hard-toobtain natural products. Our plans and preliminary results will be discussed.83P46- TUNING CHEMOSELECTIVITY TOWARD AN AFFORDABLE SYNTHETIC ROUTE
TO AURANTIOCLAVINE
Z. Mariani, S. Scharmach, and L. Sanchez
Niagara University Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics
Niagara University, NY 14109
Aurantioclavine is a natural product isolated from Penicillium aurantiovirens that gained the
interest of the synthetic community for its proposed role in the biosynthesis of the complex
polycyclic alkaloids of the communesin family. Members of this family display notable
bioactivities, including insecticidal properties and cytotoxicity toward leukemia cell lines.
Our interest in this important compound lies in its structural resemblance to tryptamine, a
derivative of the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptamine is readily available and more than one
hundred times less expensive than the starting materials used in the reported total syntheses of
aurantioclavine. Therefore we aim to develop a rational reaction sequence to progressively
transform tryptamine and access aurantioclavine synthetically. This approach, nevertheless, is
bound to involve an “unfavored” cyclization in order to assemble aurantioclavine’s characteristic
seven-membered ring. We expect to tune the chemical selectivity of this process via the
functionalization of the indole ring and pendant chain of tryptamine—altering the geometry and
electronics of the functionalities involved in the cyclization. Our progress in these efforts will be
presented.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
P48- THREE-DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION OF PLANARIAN MICROGRAPHS IN
SEARCH OF HUMAN PROTO-ONCOGENE ORTHOLOGS
M. Cataldo, J. Ducey
Wagner College, Department of Biological Sciences
Staten Island, NY 10301
The mechanisms controlling morphallactic regeneration are among the most complex and well
studied of all biological processes. Since the 18th century planaria have served as a model
organism for the study of regeneration due to their immense developmental plasticity, simple
body plan and relative abundance. In our investigation, fresh water brown planaria supplied by
Carolina Biological Sciences (Dugesia dorotocephala or tigrin) were employed to determine
whether a variant of human mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET), a key contributor to
liver regeneration, could be detected through use of electron microscopy. While our initial
experimentation suggested that a MET ortholog was expressed by these species, results from
subsequent experiments have been inconsistent. We conclude that while a MET variant is likely
absent from the planarian genome, proteins that contribute to tissue repair in a similar fashion are
undoubtedly present. In a concurrent study, light and electron micrographs were augmented by
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image analysis software to create novel, three-dimensional depictions of the aforementioned
flatworms. The inclusion of this open-source program revealed ultrastructural information that
would remain hidden otherwise and provides a reliable method for quantitation of
immunological markers.
P50- THE SEARCH FOR MET OR A MET HOMOLOG EXPRESSED BY DUGESIA
DOROTOCEPHALA
N. Malik, V. Vitulli
Wagner College, Department of Biological Sciences
Staten Island, NY 10314
Regeneration of lost or injured planarian tissue is controlled by a litany of molecular cues that
initiate prompt cytoskeletal reorganization, re-epithelialization and recruitment of neoblasts to
the wound site. While few multi-cellular eukaryotes share the restorative fidelity displayed by
planaria, nearly all members of the animal kingdom rely upon epithelialization to reduce the
likelihood of infection, minimize water loss/maintain tonicity and initiate recovery immediately
following severe trauma. Unsurprisingly, many of the cellular hallmarks that facilitate
reinstitution of epithelial continuity are conserved between species, despite massive variability
within the repair scheme thereafter. A key contributor to this process in mammalian wound
healing is the peptide ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the receptor tyrosine kinase to
which it binds- mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET).
While initially described as a unique mitogen that participates in liver regeneration, it is now
well accepted that the HGF-MET pathway contributes significantly to cellular proliferation,
migration and morphogenesis in many organ systems. Considerable evidence illustrates the
importance of HGF-MET signaling in development and cellular injury recovery; for example,
abolishment of MET expression profoundly effects tissue remodeling and composition of hepatic
stem cells and prevents re-epithelialization in epidermal wounds by keratinocytes. We suspect
that MET or a MET-like protein plays a role in planarian regeneration, as it is a key mediator of
cellular survival, growth and differentiation. To determine whether D. dorotocephala express
MET, standard immunohistochemistry and western blotting techniques were employed. Our
preliminary findings suggest that D. dorotocephala express the MET receptor under normal
physiological conditions.
P52- EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF MIR-129 ON CILIATION IN THE RETINA
USING SPONGE CONSTRUCTS
A. J. Kostiuk
John Carroll University, Neuroscience Program
University Heights, OH 44118
Numerous microRNAs have been implicated in the proper functioning of a multitude of organs
within the body. In the eye, the microRNA, MiR-129, has been reported to be crucial for the
development of retinal structures such as photoreceptor outer segments. In order to examine this
more thoroughly, a microRNA sponge construct was created to remove MiR-129 from the
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system of zebrafish. This construct was created according to the Kluiver protocol and was
administered in two doses in order to examine toxicity of the construct. It was determined that
the sponge construct proved effective in removing MiR-129 from the organisms since retinal
development was significantly disrupted in experimental fish and that the less lethal dose
administered to zebrafish was a 50 pg amount versus a 100 pg amount.
P54- EXPRESSION OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR 2 IN THE
DEVELOPING CHICK OLFACTORY EPITHELIUM
R. Squires, B. Murdoch
Eastern Connecticut State University, Department of Biology
Willimantic, CT 06226
The olfactory epithelium is the tissue responsible for the sense of smell. Neurons in the olfactory
epithelium bind odorant molecules in the nose and transmit these signals to the brain. Olfactory
neurons are constantly dying and to maintain the sense of smell, these neurons must be
continually replaced. The production of new neurons (termed neurogenesis) occurs via the
division and differentiation of stem and progenitor cells, found within the olfactory epithelium.
Neurogenesis is regulated in part by extrinsic signaling molecules, like fibroblast growth factor.
In the developing chick, which olfactory cells are capable of reacting to fibroblast growth factor
signals, that occurs via fibroblast growth factor receptors, is unknown. Using immunofluorescent
histochemistry and confocal microscopy, my project aimed to monitor the specific cell types
expressing fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 and hence identify which cells are capable of
responding to fibroblast growth factor signaling. We found fibroblast growth factor receptor 2
expressed in a variety of cells in the embryonic chick olfactory epithelium, including olfactory
neurons. This project will lead to a better understanding of how stem and progenitor cells
contribute to neurogenesis and may have implications for regenerative medicine.
P56- WHERE’S THE NICHE? FINDING PROGENITOR DOMAINS IN A REGENERATING
NEURAL TISSUE
G. Riley, B. Abrahams, B. Murdoch
Eastern Connecticut State University, Department of Biology
Willimantic, CT 06226
The olfactory epithelium is the neural tissue that lines the nasal cavity and is required for the
sense of smell. A unique feature of the olfactory epithelium is its ability to regenerate new
neurons for life, to replace lost neurons after death following injury, trauma or disease. The
production of new neurons, termed neurogenesis, occurs from the proliferation and
differentiation of neural progenitor cells. We know that neurogenesis is governed by signals in
close proximity to progenitors, in a region called the niche, but precisely how these signals coax
the production of neurons from progenitors remains unknown. The goal of this project is to find
where progenitors are concentrated in the developing chick olfactory epithelium, with the longterm goal of studying the signaling molecules that surround and affect progenitor maintenance
and proliferation. Here we used immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy to detect and
quantitate progenitors at different axial levels in the embryonic chick olfactory epithelium. We
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found that changes in the morphology of the chick olfactory epithelium corresponded to changes
in the abundance of progenitors and their differentiated progeny - neurons. Our results suggest
that the chick olfactory epithelium develops via progenitor “hotspots” which may correspond to
regional niches with different progenitor subpopulations governed by different combinations of
signaling molecules. This project will lead to a better understanding of the patterning and
organization of progenitors and neurons in the developing chick olfactory epithelium and could
have applications for driving neurogenesis in the brain.
P58- UNRAVELING REGENERATION IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
J. Patrizi, B. Murdoch
Eastern Connecticut State University, Department of Biology
Willimantic, CT 06226
Both traumatic brain injury and stroke result in the death of brain cells and the loss of associated
functions. The brain cannot readily regenerate these lost cells, but another part of the nervous
system can –the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory epithelium is the tissue responsible for the
sense of smell. Olfactory neurons have a limited lifespan and are continually replaced to
maintain the sense of smell through a process termed neurogenesis. The mechanisms regulating
neurogenesis are mostly unknown, but are governed in part by the cell’s environment, including
extracellular matrix molecules. Extracellular matrix molecules can affect neuron adhesion,
migration, and size of formed colonies, but their role in neurogenesis is unknown. Using
immunofluorescence chemistry with laser scanning confocal microscopy we sought to determine
the developmental expression of extracellular matrix molecules in the chick olfactory epithelium
and how different combinations affect neuron production. We found that in vivo the extracellular
matrix molecule laminin, was closely associated with neurons and not with neuronal progenitors
as hypothesized. Additionally, using a combination of extracellular matrix molecules we have
been able to culture neurons after 7 days in vitro. Mechanisms of regeneration in the olfactory
epithelium could one day be applied to the brain to help restore lost functions.
P60- IDENTIFICATION OF NEURAL PROGENITORS IN THE CHICKEN OLFACTORY
EPITHELIUM
M. Bhatt, B. Murdoch
Eastern Connecticut State University, Department of Biology
Willimantic, CT 06226
Neurons were once believed to be incapable of regeneration; however, it is now known that the
olfactory epithelium, a part of the nervous system responsible for smell, has neurons that are
replaced after cell death, in a process termed neurogenesis. The precise mechanisms underlying
neurogenesis are mostly unknown. To better understand the process of neurogenesis, this
research sought to: 1) Determine which candidate markers could identify neuronal progenitors in
the developing chick; 2) Analyze how progenitor levels change during development of the chick
olfactory epithelium. A literature review supported Pax6 as a candidate marker to identify chick
neuronal progenitors. Pax6 is a transcription factor that is required for neurogenesis in the eye,
and has been found in the developing mouse olfactory epithelium in supporting cells and
presumptive progenitors. Double labeled immunohistochemistry and fluorescent confocal
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microscopy were used to locate Pax6-expressing cells and determine at the single cell level,
whether Pax6+ cells included chick olfactory progenitors. Our results show that in the chick
olfactory epithelium, Pax6 is detected throughout all axial regions, mostly in dividing progenitor
cells, and not in olfactory neurons. This is in contrast to the chick retinal epithelium where Pax6
is detected in both progenitors and in a substantial population of retinal neurons. Our results
suggest diverse functions for Pax6 in two sensory tissues –the eye and the olfactory epithelium –
and contribute to our global knowledge regarding stem and progenitor cell biology.
P62- EFFECTS OF PRENATAL DIACETYLMORPHINE EXPOSURE ON AVIAN
EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AND IMMUNE RESPONSES
A.A. Kovlakas, B. Miller, A.N. Fondy, Z. Gagnon*[, L. Wojciechowicz*, C. Newkirk*, S.
Dingman*
Marist College School of Science
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Heroin use has spread at epidemic proportions within the past few decades, and is especially
dangerous when a developing fetus is prenatally exposed. This study focuses on the pathogenic
effects of diacetylmorphine (heroin) on embryo development using chick embryos as
homologous models of human development. The eggs used were specific-pathogen-free (SPF) of
the white leghorn species (Gallus domesticus). The chicks were prenatally exposed to three
different doses of diacetylmorphine in amounts that reflect typical human drug use: 6.25 mg/kg,
3.75 mg/kg, and 1.56 mg/kg. Within each treatment group, the chicks were divided further and
injected daily for incubation days 4 through 17, 8 through 17, or 11 through 17. All chicks were
euthanized on day 20 of development (entire gestation period is 21 days), according to NIH
requirements, and blood was extracted immediately through a heart puncture using a hypodermal
needle. Measurements of the circumferences of the chicks’ skulls and body weights were then
conducted and compared with untreated chicks. The results show significantly larger
circumferences and reduced birth weights. Additionally, white blood cell differentials
demonstrate an abnormally low percentage of leukocytes compared to normal. Reticulocyte
counts indicate erythropoiesis proportional to dosage. Detected changes raise concern of possible
prenatal effects of heroin on the immune system and brain development.
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PSYCHOLOGY
P64- THE INFLUENCE OF TIME ON EMOTIONAL DIFFERENCES IN MEMORY
J. H. Gray, R. M. Sandler, B. A. Bessette-Symons
Ithaca College Department of Psychology
Ithaca College, NY 14850
We explore the influence of varying time delay between encoding and memory assessment
(retention interval) on recognition memory differences between emotional and neutral items.
Seventy participants were equally divided into a No Delay condition (10 minutes retention
interval) or Delay condition (1 week retention interval). Participants encoded an equal number of
negative, neutral, and positive pictures and memory was assessed using a 9-point scale
confidence scale. Hit rate, false alarm rate, accuracy, and response bias were analyzed using a
series of 2x3 mixed ANOVAs. Retention interval was found to influence hit rates, with greater
hit rates in the No Delay condition. False alarm rates were found to be greater for emotional than
neutral images, and were greater in the Delay condition than in the No Delay condition. For both
accuracy and response bias there were significant main effects of valence, of retention interval
and significant interaction effects. Exploring the interaction revealed lower accuracy for
emotional items than neutral items in the No Delay condition only. Concerning response bias, all
items were associated with a more liberal response bias in the No Delay condition, but at both
delays emotional items demonstrated a more liberal response bias than neutral items. The
interaction showed that response bias became more conservative over time for emotional items
than for the neutral items. Our results indicate that retention interval influences emotional
differences in memory; however we did not find better memory accuracy for emotional items
and instead report a robust emotionally induced response bias.
P66- MEDIA-RELATED COVERAGE IN GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY AND LIFESPAN
DEVELOPMENT TEXTBOOKS
E. Singleton, Z. Ettelman
Ithaca College, Department of Psychology
Ithaca, NY 14850
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (2010), 8- to 18-year olds spend nearly 75 hours a
week exposed to media content, and media exposure has been linked to a wide range of mental
and physical health issues, as well as both positive (e.g., prosocial) and negative (e.g.,
aggression) behaviors. Given the growing role that media play in the lives of children,
adolescents and adults, to what extent are media-related topics included in college-level
psychology and developmental textbooks? This study involved a content analysis of 34
psychology textbooks in two categories (General Psychology and chronological Lifespan
Development). In each category, textbooks were selected from three time periods (1981-1991,
1992-2003, and 2004-2014). Textbook content was coded for amount of coverage (in both
number of words and pages) and topics covered (e.g., aggression, gender, time use, critical
viewing, and eating disorders), as well as the index terms that led the reader to media-related
content. The nature of the content was also analyzed in terms of the types of media and age
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groups mentioned, as well as the presence of images, graphics and tables, and breakout boxes.
Results showed relatively little coverage of media-related topics beyond the impact of TV
violence on children, although there was a significant increase in coverage over time for both
textbook types, and significantly more non-text content in lifespan development textbooks.
Television was by far the medium mentioned most, although there was a significant increase in
content related to computers, the Internet, and social media over time.
P68- EGO THREAT AND APPROACHES TO LAUGHTER
B. R. Ryan, E. J. Bacher
Ithaca College Psychology Department
Ithaca, NY 14850
People vary in their approaches to laughter. Gelotophobes find it anxiety producing. Gelotophiles
enjoy it even when they are the object of the laughter. Katagelasticists like laughter when
directed at others. We investigated whether ego threat would differentially affect people with
such tendencies. To generate ego threat, we used an anagram task in which participants reported
their poor performance publicly after being led to believe that they would perform well. In the
ego boost condition, participants announced high levels of performance that contrasted with the
low performance of people in the ego-threat condition. Ego boost and ego threat had different
effects on gelotophobes than on gelotophiles and katagelasticists. People who direct humor at
others (i.e., katagelisticists) and people who direct humor toward themselves (i.e., gelotophiles)
respond similarly to ego threat and to ego boost in their appreciation of humor, although the
patterns are not identical. These individuals may be protected against effects of ego threat. In
contrast, gelotophobes in the ego-threat situation respond strongly to that manipulation. These
reactions to ego threat and ego boost are consistent with predictions based on previous research
on character traits.
P70- THE DSM-V PATHOLOGICAL PERSONALITY TRAITS AND THE BIG FIVE: AN
IMPERFECT FIT
A. E. Schmidt, H. Stephenson, Ph. D.
Ithaca College Department of Psychology
Ithaca College, NY 14850
The DSM-V Pathological Personality traits were recently added to the DSM in order to
address problematic classification issues as well as “to provide orienting dimensions for the
structure of psychopathology more broadly” (Wright et al., 2012). These personality traits are
Negative Affect, Detachment, Disinhibition, Antagonism, and Psychoticism. Previous research
has demonstrated relationships between Negative Affect and Neuroticism, Detachment and
Extraversion, Antagonism and Agreeableness, Disinhibition and Conscientiousness and
Psychoticism and Openness (Thomas et al., 2012). The current study sought to confirm this
relationship using the brief form of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5-BF) and the Big
Five Inventory. These scales were embedded in a larger study including many other constructs
and survey items, thus minimizing the demand characteristics of the study. Data were collected
from 90 undergraduate students who were offered extra credit for participation in this
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anonymous study. The current study confirmed the hypothesized relationship for only three of
the five trait pairs. Strong relationships were found between Negative Affect and Neuroticism,
Antagonism and Agreeableness, and Disinhibition and Conscientiousness. Detachment was less
uniquely associated with Extraversion. Psychoticism and Openness were uncorrelated. Reasons
for these findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered.
P72- THE CROSS-RACE EFFECT AND FACE MATCHING: IS IT MORE THAN JUST
MEMORY?
H.J. Brown, D’Youville College Department of Psychology
Dr. B. Thompson, Niagara University Department of Psychology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Face matching refers to the comparison of two faces with the task to determine whether or not
the images are the same person (e.g., comparing a person to the image on their identification
card). Face matching is distinct from face memory in that both images are presented
simultaneously, so the participant does not have to remember one of the faces. A wellestablished finding in face memory research is that people are better at identifying faces of one’s
own ethnic group; this is known as the cross-race effect. The purpose of this study was to see if
see if the cross-race effect carries over to face matching. To answer this question, we created a
face matching test in which 21 of the pairs were white and 29 pairs were from other ethnic
groups. Thirty college students volunteered from psychology courses at Niagara University.
Participants viewed the 50 face pairs individually on a computer. For each participant, we
calculated a measure of how accurate he or she was in discriminating matches from mismatches
for their races and for other races. The results of the study will tell us whether or not there is a
cross-race effect for face matching. This research could be important in applied settings such as
passport screenings. We will discuss both the theoretical and practical application of this
research.
P74- THE ANTI-ANXIETY EFFECT OF ZOLOFT IN RATS
A. R. Johnson
John Carroll University Neuroscience Program
University Heights, OH 44118
Sertraline hydrochloride, commonly known as Zoloft, was first approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration in 1991 as a treatment for depression and anxiety. Zoloft is classified as a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which increases the extracellular level of the
neurotransmitter serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell. In the current
study, six female Long-Evans rats were administered Zoloft and six rats served as controls. Rats
were weighed and given food and water each day. In order to measure anxiety, the elevated plus
maze (EPM) was utilized. Zoloft had a significant effect on body weight and food intake. An
anti-anxiety effect was noted on the second and last days of the drug administration period. The
effect disappeared upon withdrawal of the drug. This study, utilizing female rats, parallels results
obtained in research involving male rats.
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P76- EVALUATION OF OUTCOMES WITH CHRONIC ABDOMINAL PAIN PATIENTS IN
AN OUTPATIENT MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE AND TREATMENT CONTEXT
L. K. Belzinskas
John Carroll University – Neuroscience Program
University Heights, OH 44118
Whereas most outcome studies evaluating the benefits from a multidisciplinary chronic pain
treatment program for various forms of chronic abdominal pain have used pediatric populations,
this study examined fifty adults with preexisting chronic abdominal pain by utilizing an eclectic
approach with various therapy methods. Outcomes were determined using the Numeric Pain
Rating Scale for measuring pain, the Patient Health Questionnaire for classifying depression
severity, the Pain Disability Index for assessing functional impairment, and the European Quality
of Life Health Questionnaire for recording perceived quality of life. Responses utilized paired
samples t-tests and linear regression. During treatment, functional impairment decreased, and
self-reported quality of life increased (with marginal significance). Physiological pain rating and
depression severity improved, but not significantly during treatment. Thus, quality of life and
functional impairment improved despite little pain reduction. Further research is needed for the
exploration of a potential positive relationship using this treatment modality.
CELL BIOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY
P78- A GENOTOXIC EVALUATION OF THE VANILLA QUINONE ANALOG CAPSAICIN
AND ITS POTENTIAL AS A CHEMOPREVENTATIVE AGENT
M.T. Amato, Z. E. Gagnon*
Marist College Department of Environmental Science
Marist College, NY 12601
Capsaicin is a secondary metabolite found in Capsicum peppers with vast medical application
and unknown potential. Its most common medical use is as a topical analgesic; yet more recent
research indicates its ability to induce cell apoptosis in transformed (tumorous) cells through the
formation of highly reactive oxygen species and other biochemical stressors. This finding
motivates a genotoxic evaluation of capsaicin, which could promote the naturally occurring
alkaloid as an important adjuvant in chemotherapeutic protocol. To investigate genotoxicity, a
single cell gel electrophoresis assay was performed to measure DNA damage. In the study,
control lymphocytes and transformed lymphocytes treated with etoposide, a known
environmental carcinogen, were exposed to the following treatments: 0.00, 100.0 and 1000.0
ppm of capsaicin dissolved in 70% ethyl alcohol, respectively. A direct relationship between
capsaicin dose and comet tail length was observed. On average, the comet tail length in the
transformed cells was 179% longer in comparison to control cells. Between transformed cells
treatments, those exposed to the 1000.0 ppm concentration had comet tails 23% longer than the
100.0 ppm exposure. This effect provides critical insight to the enhanced genotoxic effect of
capsaicin when interacting with mutated cells.
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P80- QUANTIFICATION OF WITHAFERIN A IN PHYSALIS GENUS OF PLANT
EXTRACTS
A. R. Frank, L. Maelia, PhD
Mount Saint Mary College Division of Natural Sciences
Mount Saint Mary College, NY 12550
Withaferin-A is a multiple ring organic molecule occurring naturally in plants, particularly
within the genus Physalis. The medicinal properties of Withaferin compounds have been studied
and utilized as far back as Native American and Egyptian eras. Withaferin has been traditionally
utilized and modernly tested for its medicinal properties, and has been found to contain
angiogenesis inhibitory, antineoplastic, and stress relieving abilities.
This study examines the quantity of Withaferin-A in Physalis plants, particularly the purinosa
(ground cherry) and philadelphica (tomatillos) varieties.
To quantify the amount of compound in each plant, the fruit was dried, powdered, refluxed in
methanol, and then evaporated to dryness. The remaining oil was re-suspended in methanol and
analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection
(227nm). Known concentrations of 99% pure Withaferin A were used to create a Beer-Lambert
calibration curve. Unknown samples were then compared to the curve to derive overall
concentration. The ripe varieties purinosa plants were found to contain less Withaferin A than
their unripe counterparts. Ripened philadelphica also possessed significantly less Withaferin A
than unripe purinosa. .
P82- THE DETERMINATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL PERMEABILITY IN HELA CELLS
TREATED WITH CURCUMIN
J.R. McCune, R.S. Greene
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Cancer is the second highest cause of death in the world next to heart disease. Due to the fact that
there are many different cancer types, different treatments types are available to help fight this
disease. However not all of these treatments are safe to the patient’s all around health. As an
alternative to these treatments, researchers have begun to develop as less dangerous way to treat
cancer through a more natural means. Curcumin, the compound that gives turmeric its yellow
color, has been found to have apoptotic effects on cancer cells. In combination with
photodynamic therapy (PDT) the rate of apoptosis was increased in tumors. In this study, HeLa
cells were treated with curcumin in culture to determine the apoptotic affects. Also treated cells
were subjected to PDT as another measure of the apoptotic affects. It was found that when
treated with varying concentrations of curcumin there was a dose-dependent relationship in the
increase of apoptosis and a decrease in cell viability. Also, cells were assayed with a
mitochondrial kit in combination with curcumin in order to determine if curcumin produce
reactive oxygen species (ROS). It was also used to test for mitochondrial membrane
permeability. The results from the above will be documented at a later date.
P84- IDENTIFICATION OF APOPTOTIC GENES BY FRACTIONATION
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S.M. Clark, R.S. Greene
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
HeLa cells are used as a remarkable model for cancer pathology. They are easily grown, easy to
treat and tend to yield reliable data. When proper agents are administered, they are able to be
fractioned into isolated organelles and analyzed under deeper concentration. In this particular
study, Staurosporine, a frequently used apoptotic agent, was administered to HeLa cells in
varying concentrations while one was left for control. After overnight incubation, the Thermo
Scientific Subcellular fractionation Kit for Cultured Cells was used to segregate HeLas into five
different cellular compartments: cytoplasmic, membrane, soluble nuclear, chromatin-bound
nuclear and cytoskeletal extracts. Cell-signaling apoptotic gene ELISA assays were run in order
to determine the distribution of proteins critical to apoptosis, as well as their distribution in
various cell compartments. There are many advantages of cell fractionation, including being able
to gather genetic information from the same cells, studying protein translocation, and the fact
that it is easily adjustable and flexible.
P86- EFFECTS OF CURCUMIN AND DIRECT PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY ON
CASPASE CASCADE PATHWAYS IN CERVICAL CANCER
K.A. Thorne, R.S. Greene
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
Cancer is the one of the deadliest diseases in America. With Cervical Cancer effecting nearly
15,000 women each year, side effects like pain, weight and hair loss from radiation and
chemotherapy are devastating. The novel possibility of Curcumin-mediated PDT as a less
invasive, more efficient approach to cancer therapies is in initial investigative stages.
Photodynamic therapy, when paired with Curcumin, a natural drug-loading compound, has
shown increased apoptosis of Cervical Cancer (HeLa) in vitro, with potential for apoptosis of
malignant cells without negative side effects. The precise concentrations and light durations to
induce substantial apoptosis have been analyzed through flow cytometry and fluorescence
microscopy. Paired treatment of 30uM Curcumin with 1 hour PDT has shown significant late
apoptosis and end-stage apoptosis continuing 24 hours after treatment, with no viable cells
present, suggesting this paired treatment as an effective approach to HeLa cell apoptosis.
Analysis of the Caspase Cascade pathway of apoptosis will be presented.
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P88- EFFECTS OF VITAMIN D3 ON PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OS HeLa CELLS IN
CULTURE
A.J. Mitrowski, K.D. Titus, and Dr. R. Greene
Niagara University Department of Biology
Niagara University, NY 14109
In 2015, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 539,430 cancer
deaths in the United States alone. Cancer is a disease that involves enhanced cellular
proliferation due to the escape of normal cellular regulation such as apoptosis, a form of
programmed cell death. Vitamin D deficiencies have been shown to correspond with advanced
stages of cancers. This why Vitamin D, specifically 1-α, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 was chosen
to treat human epithelial cervix squamous carcinoma cells (HeLa) in vitro to determine its effect
on cell viability. Either HPPH or ALA, both known photodynamic apoptotic agents, were used
as a primary agent for the experiment. The study was conducted using varying concentrations of
1-α, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 over a 48 hour period. It was hypothesized that increasing the
concentration of 1-α, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 would result in an increased number of apoptotic
cells therefore decreased cell viability. Cell viability was measured using fluorescence
microscopy, hemocytometry, and MUSE. The results suggest that when HPPH is administered,
increasing concentrations of 1-α, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 resulted in an increased number of
apoptotic cells. When ALA was used, increasing concentrations of 1-α, 25-dihydroxy vitamin
D3 again resulted in an increased amount of apoptotic cells correspondingly. Future studies
should be conducted in order to determine the underlying mechanisms or specific pathways
responsible.
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